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1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

BEI 


United 


Connul] 


n'lTK  ANBCD01 

JAMBS  OOR 

C.  CAHB 

— JOI 

K] 


FOR     SAl 


THE 


LIVES  AND  OPINIONS 


or 


BENJ'N  FRANKLIN  BUTLER, 

II.ite4  SKta  Dutriet  Altorw,  f.,  m  Sontbcn  bmm  „  j,,  r.^. 


AND 


JESSE  HOYT 

ConnMUor  at  Law,  formerly  Collector  of  Cmioms  for  tbe  Port  of  New  York : 


0.  CAMBBKLEN0-M08KS,.  CANTmBlT^!  cODDmoTOV-w  rri  •"■  """^"^AWBt  BOWNK-o"" 

-JOHN  W.   BDMONDS-AZAEUH  C.  PLA00-WR^77rnJiL?''*''™"''-^''^"'  CR08WKU, 

BDWABD    HVINOSTON— WILLIAM  , ""^T  *;,'^«*''S— CHARLBS  L.   LIVINOSTON— 

BURY-SILAS     WRIOHT-SAMUEL     YOUNO 

AND  THEIR  PHIHNDS  AND  POLITICAL 

ASSOCIATBS. 


Bv   WILLIAM   L.   MACKENZIE. 


m5«  J    "l^"^  ^^r]"*'  ^"It  insidious  men 

And  lengthen  simple  justiw  into  trade,) 

HOW  glorious  were  the  day  that  saw  these  hmt.  i 

And  every  man  within  the  rewh  oFrigSr 

THOMSON'b  IBASOn. 


COOK  &  CO.,  PUBLISHERS, 

WASHINGTON      STREET      BOSTON: 

FOR     SALE     BY     ALL     PERIODICAL     BOOKSELLERS     THROCTOHOITT     THE 

UNITED     STATES. 


1845. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1845,  in  the  Clerk' 
Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts,  by  Cook  &  Co. 

F 
M  3 


Adams,  John  Qr 

Albany.— Butler 

Albany  Argus.— 

Caiitine  its  ov 

Bennett's  artic 

Albany  Resency, 

cabal.— 8— -wit 

Bennett  on  96- 

Allen,  Stephen. - 

Hall   Bank   71 

repeal  com.  114 

Alley,  Saul.— ma 

American  Land  ( 

low,  with  publ 

to  the  people  1 

Antlmaaonry. — ; 

Anti-Renters,  Th 

Buren  and  the. 

Appointments  to 

cal  turn  on  poll 

46,  47,  48— fiar 

Hoyt  on  49— Bi 

on  51,  54— Mr. 

inga  and  twistii 

Appraisers.— whc 

Atwood,  Henry  C 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

As  it  is  probable  that  this  work  will  reach  a  second  edition,  communications 
respecting  it  may  be  mailed  for  me  to  the  post-office,  New  York,  or  delivered  at 
my  dwelling  house,  South  Seventh  street,  corner  of  Fourth,  Williamsburgh,  Long 

Y. 

W.  L.  MACKENZIE. 


Island,  N 


Bank  of  America. 
Bank  of  Auburn- 
Bank  of  Brooklyn, 
Bank  of  State  of 
1 1 — Jackson's 
back  to  109. 
Bank  of  the  Uniti 
a  fortune  by  61 
for  a  branch  98, 
100,  101,  104,  1 
to  llO-SilesW 
104— Duane  on  1 
Bank  craft.— ButI 
much  with  little 
on  114,  115— bar 
Banking.— [See  th 
Barker,  Gen'l  Geo 
and  attorney  of  ( 
Barker.  G.  R. — cas 
Barker,  Jacob. — Wi 
16— on  W.  and  1 
28,  29 — convictei 
quacker,  duellist 
charter  31— comj 
Beardaley,  S.  of  On 
Beers,  Joseph  D.— ; 
stocks  125— his  t 
147. 
Bennett,  James  Gor 
strong  for  Van  B 
Enq.  92— on  Mui 
treats  help  from 
comment  95 — tur 
anguish,  i'6.— on 
Barlow  126. 
Benton,  Tho.  Hart.- 
Betts,  Samuel  R.- 
enormous  fees  in 
Bets,  betting.- Mr 
Buren  61  to  63— 
66-Hoyt  66— Sill 


^ 


3'/'i5 


ALPHABETICAL  INDEX. 


A. 

Adams,  John  Qnincy.— 38,  39,  40,  109. 
Albany.— Butler's  opinion  of  32. 
Albany  Argus.— notice  of— Van  Buren  its  main  stay— 
Cantme  Its  owner  88,  89— on  Jackson  aO-copies 
A,?"""  D  "  ""iclM  96— on  both  sides  117. 
Albany  Resency,  or  Van  Buren's  organized  political 
cabal.— 8— with  Swartwout  85— Le^ifett  on  89— 
Bennett  on  96— known  as  '  the  bankjunto'  10-i. 
Allen,  Stephen. -45— proposes  a  8500,000  Tammany 
Hall   Bank   71— his    opinions   on   banks   72— on 
repeal  com.  114— on  suspension  148. 
Alley,  Saul,— made  a  U.  S.  Bank  Director,  100. 
American  Land  Co.- to  buy  the  liest  of  public  lands 
low,  with  public  money,  and  sell  them  again  hi-'h 
to  the  people  122,  123,  ^  ° 

Anti-masonry.— 10,  42,  113. 
Anti-Renters,  The.— outdone  by  Butler  18, 101— Van 

Buren  and  the,  in  1812,  123,  124. 
Appointments  to  ufflce.— 8— bucktails  26,  33-medi- 
?o  I.li'^l^"  politics  46— Coddington's  art  of  getting 
46,  47,  48— Hamilton  on4S-Ingham  on  48,  56— l! 
Hoyt  on  49— Butler  and  Swartwout  on  50— J.  Hoyt 
on  51,  54— Mr.  Van  Buren  on  44  to  46,53— turii- 
mgs  and  twistlngs  55— Ingham  on  57. 
Appraisers.— who  and  how  made  1 50. 
Atwood,  Henry  C— notice  of  87. 

B. 

Bank  of  America.— 27,  28. 
Bank  of  Auburn — 31. 
Bankof  Brooklyn.— frauds  on  137. 
Bank  of  State  of  N.  Y.-withholds  Hoyt'.q  account, 
11— Jackson's   true   character  of   106— doposites 
back  to  109.      . 
Bank  of  the  United  Stales.— 105— J.  Van  Buren  lost 
a  fortune  by  61— Butler  and  Van  Buren  petition 
;m''.m''"f^^,',^"'^'«,'^'«'  S^Cambrefeng  on 
i^,'in°'i-',**'-.,'r°?T^-  W'  Lawrence  on  102,108 
i^"?r^''^^^"S'>'  ""lO^-   107-Tibbets'8  plan 
104— Duane  on  107— policy  of  151. 
Bank  craft.— Butler's   art  or    mystery  of— payin" 
""'?^^".'J  ■'"'«'  1^  '"  24-lb.  104-Phelp3  &  Co° 
on  114,  l]5-bank  of  Metropolis  123. 
Banking/— [See  this  index  generally]— 105. 
Barker,  Gen'l  Geo.  P.— Altorney  General  of  N    Y 

and  attorney  of  City  Bank,  Buffalo,  68. 
Barker.  Q.  R.— cashier,  &c.  29,  Z). 
Barker,  Jacob.— was  buying  the  old  Buffalo  Bank,  15, 
io~on"  ^-  """^  ^-  21— his  deceptions,  22,  23  24 
28,  29— convicted  of  fraud  28,  29~is  poor  30-a 
quacker,  duellist,  and  petitioner  for  a  U.  S.  Bank 
charier  31— complains  of  Riker46— Butler  on  144. 
Beardsley,  S.  of  Oneida.— 61, 109. 
Beers,  Joseph  D.-29-borrows  at  New  Hope  69— on 
fltocka  125-hls  bank  (see  N.  A.  Trusl  C^)  145  to 

Bennett,  James  Gordoa— 9— letters  to  Hoyt  91  to  95— 
strong  for  Van  Buren-hls  '  big  gun'-on  Cour.  & 
Enq.  92— on  Mumford  and  a  «2S00  loan  93— in- 
treats  help  from  V.  Buren  94— V.  B.'s  reply  and 
comment  95— turns  round  against  friends  96— his 
Banow  126  ~°"  ""'"  ^'■-^^'■'^y  o"  112-expo8es 

Benton,  Tho.  Hart.— on  Custom  House  127. 

Belts,  Samuel  R.— notice  of  141— Hoyt  and  142— 
enormous  fees  in  court  142—144 

Bets,  belling,-Mr.  V.  Buren  on  42-52-J.  Van 
Buren  61  to  63-C.  W.  Lawrence's  64-Igaac  HiU 
66-Hoyt66-Silaa  Wright  ag'at  67.       "^'' "'" 


Birchard,  Matthew.-unite*  with  Hoyt  to  affect  un- 

duly  law  costs  and  juries  145,  146. 
Bishop   and   Kemble.-stock-jobbere,  Senators  and 

conspirators  124-trial,  &c.  125,  ,2^/*'""°™  "»" 

^r  87  rtr^'nv,"'v^'^'"i'-"°'''^«  "'■■  ""<»  his  pa. 
per  87  H8,— Hoyt,  Noah,  &c.  set  him  up,  ib. 

Bleecker  Joseph  r.-(Custom  House  officer  )  131   '2 

BownOV-alter.-friendly  to  John  Thompson  M-llsi" 

j^^&*-opposed  to  Col.  Young  73-olfice  to  a  friend 

86-Custom  House  com'r  127,  128-notice  of  127 

Broker3,-compared  by  Butler  to  leeches,  24-J.  Van 
Buren  wishes  to  avoid  60  •<•»«"• 

Broome  Co.  N.  Y.-'  a  crazy  county'  42. 
Broome  to.  Bank.— notice  of  99. 
Brown,  G.  W.-28,  29,  75. 

BuckuMs.'-^J6"27,tr"'"""^'  """^  «""="  «'• 
Biinner,  Rudolph.-l48,  52,  55. 

^c^teJ!^^^.  {22''-'''   ''^^''"  «"-"  ««"  '»" 

Burr,  Aaron.— his  treason  83. 

Butler  Benjamin  F.-his  birth  and  ancestry-parter- 
ship  will,  Mr.  Van  Buren-banking  sp^cuCs 
3-p  ofession  of  religion,  14-characler  of  Hoy"! 
Ib-pres  dency  of  the  W.  k  W.  Bank  16  to  26— 
morals,  rt.-gulls  the  Dutch  18-threa ts  2olchI^ 
racier  of  Clinton,  14,  21,  24,  8:^  conduct' rtVTewed 
27  ^£^-«n>bition  27-a  buckluil  2;'~on  Van  Ne.^" 
• '  ''^connection  with  Barker  28,  29-artful  ad" 
vice  to  Noah  38  39- for  a  caucus^  A.iTra-wants 
Va^BuZ7^"''S^  45-on  oflicials  not  t7mtl 
vanuurtn  49— on  Hoyt  and  Deur  50-on  Yni.nff 

of  Hp.'fr'^"'^/^''"  ^f'"'°"'«  mess^e  on  puri?f 
of  elections  77-prays  for  a  branch  of  U.  S.  Bank 


98- writes  Eown'e's''  anti-d'emoc'ra'tic'r^iio?t  \\ 
on  Jackson  119-borrowing  121,  122-feeri38-ex- 


IIS— 


l^i'Tv^*^'?'-  ^"'J;  'i»-enorinous  income'Vfo 
145-hvpocrisy  and  deceit  145,  146-counsel  to 
Beers  k  Co.  l48-on  chancery  149. 

ci"i2?t^i'23."  '"^"''*"''"  ""d  American  Land 

Butler,  Mrs.  B.  F.-her  curious  epistles  139,  140. 

C. 

Calhoun,  John.-9, 41,  108,  121, 

Cainbreleng  C.  C  ---69  visits  Crawford-on  private 
letters  g-for  Coddington  46- wanted  to  be  consul  at 
Liverpool  48-on  the  choice  of  the  president,  for  p! 
M.  N.  Y.  57-sel  s  Hoyt  stock  70-Spicer  refers  to 
75-sends  politicians  to  the  Customs  86-for  and 
against  U.  §.  Bank  100  to  107-nolice  of  106  1& 

Cant'ne,  Moses  L-on  W.  &  W.  bank  31  -stal^  priA- 
ter  89-on  Buffalo  bank  122-and  anti-rent  12! 

.^fd.tln^^.i^'?""''''''"'-^"/"  ''''='«l«  »  president,  38 
to  40-Butler's  report  m  favor  of  117,  118-nomina- 
lions  m,  anti-republican  139.  "omina 

here^I^g^*"^'"^'  ^~*  '^°^  chanceUor  1,38-law 
Clay,  Hanry  -38,  39,  40,  52,  108,  113. 

of'?S;  vL^p"-"^""'*"  ""il'  ^^l-  24'  89-enmity 
of  the  Van  Buren  party  to  25- Van  Buren  on  3(1 
45-his  friends  vote  against  Butler45-exposes  the 
organized  corps'  77-for  a  law  code  107. 
Ooe,  W.  S.— a  bad  naval  officer  130,  131,  133 
Coddington  J.  L-S,  79_advi3e8  V.  B.  45-Cambro- 
leng  for  46-lelters  to  Hoyt,  wants  to  be  Survoyor 

ifir^I'?."P^*\'^^'''°"'  ''^''^'"es  to  get  a  place 
46  to  48-Cambreleng  comforts  him  67— Bennett  92. 

Code  of  Laws  (American.)— 7  107 

Common  Law  (English.)— 7,  107. 


ALPHABETICAL    IKDEX. 


Convenlion,  N.  Y.  State,  1846.-7,  lis,  105,  128 
Corning,  Era8tus,-68,  101.  '      '       >  •«• 

Corporation«.--unpopul«r  in  Oeorgia  120 
Crawford,  W.  H. -discloses  old  cabinet  eecreta  9- 

the  caucua  canuidate  for  preildent  38,  39-lnault8 

adopted  citizens  119. 
Croswell,  Edwin.-9,  10,  a'i-Beta  the  AriruB  S9 
Currency.-lSce  banks,  bank  of  U.  S.,  Builor'stock. 

jobbing,  &C.1  lO.--,,  161.  ' 

Cutting,  Francis  B.— 63,  68— on  banks  1 16. 

D. 

Dallas,  Geo.  M.— and  tlie  bank  107. 
Decatur,  Col.  John  (of  the  lobby)  77. 
JJelafleld,  John.— in  Del.  New  Hope  Bank  69. 
Deposites,  the.-68-97  lo  106-Jack8On  on  106- 

Lawrence  on  109— where  they  go  121,  122— 

Bowne  *  Co,  be?  fi;r  128.  ' 

Dickenson,  Daniel  S.— he  and  his  Iwnk  99. 
District  Attorney,  So.  Dist.  N.  Y.-a  much  sought 

prize  48  to  W.  = 

Duane  W.  J.— refused  the  Russian  embassy  81 ,  107— 

on  U.  S,  Bank  ib. 
Dudley,  Charles  E.— sent  to  Senate-4i>-letter  to 

Hoy  I  49  -opposed  tu  Young  ',3. 
Duer,  John— efforts  to  oust  48  to  57— Butler  on  60— 

Hoyt  bitter  52  to  56. 
Duer,  W.  A.  49, 


on  'Change  67-lo  lobby  lb.-hi«  bank  nock  68- 
agenl  to  J.  V.  Buren  61  to  64,  partner  6.*-Stock 
operations  69— aids  the  Globe  88— Bennett's  let- 
ters to  91  to  95-' deadly  hostility'  to  a  foreigner 
9  — Cambreleng  to  100  to  107-Marcy  instrucU 
113— on  repeal  com.  114,  'lii— his  gold  mine  120- 
embezilonieiits  129  to  1»1— career  as  coUoctor 
lb,— his  trial  137— seeking  office  32,  33,41,86-! 
getting  it  115— escapes  a  criminal  trial  142— In- 
terferes with  juries  145,  '6-harrasscs  the  mer- 
Beers's  119         ''*'''  "^'  '^'"'•'s  """^-'reaaury  at 

"■l^''4V"l!£f''iT?"!^  "'?.''  ^'  ^"^  21-letter.  32, 
.•J}'  ',*!?'.'}''  IS^-vile  doctrines  32,  33-agent 
to  Silas  Wright  107-B'pand  Kemble  amuTW- 
priiicmles  25,  32,  33,  138.  ^^^ 

Hyatt,  Thomas.— sent  to  penitentiary  76. 


Importers,  N.  Y.— how  treated  LIO  to  152 
'"f.",""";  ,?•  J^'-on  office-seeking  fever  48,  66-on 
Irish,  the.— 119. 

Irving,  John  T.— excellent  sentiments  of  71. 
Ivcfl,    George   R.-hires   cashiers    132-hl8   frauda 
winked  at  134. 


Eckford,  Henry— remarkable  verdict,  Butler  altor- 
iicy f  loo, 

^0=°"^^'  J°^'^  W.-27-Bishop  and  Kemble,  and 
n  ..'  o— .how qualified  fora  jude'e  140,  notice  of,  ib. 
Wections,  interferences  in,  by  officials.— Jefterson  on 

74— party  practice  74  to  90— Skinner  103. 

m'm   ^™^'''*"^  *"''  ^'=8  Pre3idoni.-25,  38, 
Espionage  at  Custom  House.- 78  to  81. 
Everett,  Edward.-on  U.  S.  bank  and  deposites  109. 
Exchange  Bank,  Barker's.— 22,  23. 

F. 

^*6™  68  *"**  Mechanics'  Bank,  Albany.— 17,  18,  20, 
Fitch,  Francis  B.— got  an  Inspectorship  86. 
If^'  A?'"'**'  C— votes  Clinton  out  of  the  Canal 
r*.    ??r°?P?^*  Young  73-on  politics  113-on 
banks  1 16— Arkansas  stock  147. 

'^'"'36 ^'  ■*"~*"''''°'"'  ^-  H--evidence  of  130, 


Gallatin,  Albert.— 100,  115. 

Glent worth  case.— U,  88,  110,  140. 

Globe,  The.— V.  Buren,  &c.  on  87— press  bought  by 

Noah,  Hoyt,  &c.  88,  profits,  ib. 
Gold  Mine.— Jesse  Hoyt's  120 
Gouverneur,  Samuel  L.— 52. 
Graham,  John  L.— recommends  Le  Foy  82— in  N  A 

Trust  Co.  147.  '     " 

Greeley,  Horace.— prophecy  on  Hoyt  133. 


Hackley,  Aaron.— in  lobby  122. 

Haileck,  Fitz  Greene,  30. 

Hamilton    J    A.— accuses  Judge  Van  Ness  27— for 
'  spoils'  48. 

Hill,  Gov.  Isaac— on  bets  66. 

Hoyt,  Jesse.— prosecutes  Wood— leaves  letters,  9— 
his  early  life  13-admitted  as  a  lawyer  15-fit  for  a 
cashier  15.  l&-poor  32— subservient  34,  36— ap- 
pointed Coilector  of  N.  Y.  by  V.  B.,  who  endorses 
his  paper  35-elected  to  N.  Y.  Legisl.  41 -tries  to 
oust  Duer  and  become  U.  S.  Att  48  to  67_9harD 
argument  with  V.  Buren  51  to  66-hires  V.  B  a 
valet  51— IS  disinurested— was  educated  by  V  B 
64— Ingham  about  '  embeziiing'  66— his  beta  66— 


Jackson,  Andrew. -V.  Buren  has  his  confidence  54— 
S>.  "oo  ""."  ">?  R"8''»n  embassy  81— borrows  of 
loe"  ^~*'^"'^'^  by  Argus  90-describes  pet  banka 

■'^iJ!"."',??"'^''-'*'-*'^  Blair  8S-custom  house 
coni  r  1^7, 

Jetlerson    Thomas.-on  officials  meddling  in  elec- 

lions  74— practice  by  modem  demos.  71  to  79 
Jolinson,  Jeromus.— notice  of  80,  81,  M8 

o/ w'Vv^-  Xi-'^^i  P"™  8,  II,  28,  30,  66-case 
of  W.  W  Van  Ness  27-ca8e  of  W.  L.  Marcy  45- 

P'*!'"!''  ^Ji^y  '^"''  °9-J-  V-  Buren,  do.  58  to  64- 
in  lobby  122--Bishop  and  Kemble  •24-a  chapter 

"^l^^^^^l^:^"'"''''  <=-"  '^^-'  of 
Juries.-defeated  l^y  judiciary  in  efforts  to  punish 
great  rogues  28~Hoyt  regulates  145,  146. 


Kemble,  J.  C.-See  Bishop  *  Kemble  124. 
Kendall  Amos  —107— Bennett  on  95. 
Kibbe,  Isaac— notice  of  122. 
King,  Charles.- Accuses  W.  W.  Van  Ness  27 


U  Chaise,  Fouche  k  Co.-cruel  treatment  of  143. 

rT^;^  "in  v"Tro'S"'  ?7„'^»  f^'""'non  and  Chan- 
eery]— m  N.  Y.  137  to  140— fees  (see  Butler  ^ 

er^l^^h^^;'^  T-'T'"  nif  fike'the^hol. 
64  }%~h\l  ^J^^  ""^i"""  '^'"  P""  election' 
82l-hJi™  ,h.  rT^^lo* ^  74-recommendations  by 

l^^^l.L.?"'*  ^""^  *"<^  ^'n«  ihe  Bank 
'  10°— Jackson  on  106— not  ce  of  108— in  Cton- 

S  1^*  «"^k-Jobber  lIO-Ugget{'^lTo--o"„ 
""a^ "p^?itK7"  ^-"'  '^'^"««  «^his  cement 
^Arlis'sr  '^-^''^•>'e'  at  New  Hope  69-editor 
f:^Pnv'  ??r*d-29-Receiver  N.  A.  Trust  Co.  147. 

82-l'ia      ^~^       °'^''^  ""*  nominates  Marcy 
Leggett,  Wm.-on  Croswell  89-V.  Buren  subscribes 
T  90-describes  Bowne,  &c.  UO-on  mTcv  116 
Lewis,  Morgan.-defrauded  of  «15,000  b7Lombard 
Life  &  Fire  Co.— 28,  29. 

^Tn'^  n'?"'i?'^;  L— ''otes  for  Butler  4&-on  bank- 

ing  117— likes  to  sit  with  Bishop  126. 
Livingston,  Edward.— 32  33  34  4i  fa  m  ^^ia 
Lobbying.-33,  87,  i22         '     '  *''  ^^'  ^''  ^^• 
Loco  Focos.— 73. 
Lott,  John  A,— a  judge,  &c.  138. 


Loveti,  the  ban 


McDuffie,  Geori 

MacOee,  Inspec 

McNeven,  Dr.  \ 

bee.  Clintonia 

Manhattan  BanI 

Marcy,  Wm.  L. 

ruin  45— J.  V. 

60— bets  on  1 

borrowing  69- 

hank  branch 

UO,   Ul-on 

com'r— badco 

Mason,  Gen'l  Jo 

banks  109. 
Maxwell,  Hugh. 
Merchants  of  Nc 
difficulties  In  I 
MerchanU'  BanI 
Mejerole,  Abrahi 
Meaerole,  B,  J.- 
Miller, Sylvanus 
Morris  Canal  and 
Morris  R.  H.  (P. 
11— new-born 
Mumford,  John  I 
Murray,  Col.  J.  1 


Native  American 

Naval  Office.— It 

Throop  and  Co 

Nelson,  Ch'f  Jus 

Neville,  Major  M 

Nevins,  tt.  H.— 0 

New  Hope  Delaw 

Newspapers.— U8( 

New  York  Custoi 

tioneering  in, 

engine  (chaps. 

78  to  81— Bown 

bezzlements  in 

get  offices  in  82 

stealings  80--cl 

New  York  Post  0 

N.  Y.  Evening  Pc 

N.  Y.  Heraid.-9- 

B.  and  his  regei 

N.  Y.  Morning  Ni 

N.  Y.  Standard.— 

N.  Y.  Times.- He 

Noah,  M.  M.— 9- 

political  knaver 

Phillips  to  Swa 

structions  to  38 

printing,  ib.—\ 

44— helps  to  bi 

printing  througl 

Ulshoeffer  on  13 

North  Am'n  True 

props  it— notice 

Nominations  by  tl 

bad  system  in  us 


Oakley,  J.  — 'g  or; 

recommends  Wa 
O'Conneli,  Daniel,' 
Offices  and  Appoin' 
Ogden,  Henry.— Ca 

135,  136. 
Ogbury,  p.-in  Ci 

O'Sullivan,J.L.-0 

82,85. 
Oicott,  T.  W.-17, 


Papers  (Private.)-l 
Phelps,  Thaddeus." 
114,  '15. 


ALPHABETICAL    INDEX. 


Lovetl,  the  bank  leller.— 126,  '6. 
M. 

McDuffie,  George.— 109,  121. 
MacOee,  Inspectur  John.— 77,  78. 

T^.'pil'P''  "'■.^T"'"."PP-  '°  »  ^-Jical  office, 
Dec.  tllntonian-Jnckson  46. 

Manhattnn  Bank.— ii»  deposites  121 
n,^h^"\-  '^-^^^  ^''"'  Buren  eave.  him  from 
Sl^ll""'''  ^;  .^"™"  •"'''*''«  by  his  loan  message 
60-bcts  on  him  61  to  63-on  atock-iobbina  67- 
borrowmg  69-nominate«l  8!i-pray»  for  a  U  S 
ull    i^,?"'^''  9S-letter  on  breeches  and  bravery 

r;„>      Li""    •?•''''"    1"    'o    "■«-»    Mexican 
com'r-bad  conduct  lIi5-Hoyt'»  hinu  to  116 

SstoS!'^"'"'^-"''  ^"^  •^"J^obl^f  i^'-on 

Maxwell,  Hugh.— 28,  29,  66. 

Zn.Tn  '"'.'*?r  York— Hoyl  ag'st  140, 145,  146- 
airntulties  In  thoir  busmess  in  N.  Y.  150  to  152 
Merchanu'  Bank.-28,  59.  » •  ■«!  lo  i  j<. 

Me^erole,  Abraham.-how  he  got  a  place  81. 
meaerole,  H.  J.— alderman  and  appraiser  81. 
miller,  bylvanus  -libel  case  wi:h  Noah  36,  ,37. 
mZ2  S*"h  ^o*^  Bank'gCo.-69-Hoyt  and  the  149. 
I       nL^J*^-  ^\>--^'^  code  of  '  unknown'  laws 
m.-LT  .S*;'^''","*!,'"'"  PUfB  •lections  64. 
jHumford,  John  {.-Bennett  jealous  of  93,  96. 
Murray,  Col.  J.  B. -notice  of  147,  148. 


Native  Americanism.— Greeley  on  119. 
''T^r^^:r^,%%'"^^'>'-^y  -f^'^t*!  by 

N^lT'  M '•  J"';-'"'*"  ''6  ??'  an  office  108. 
Neville,  .Maior  Morgan.-a  Burr  man  83. 
Nevins,  K.  H,-on  Stock  Go's  147 
New  Hope  Delaware  Bridge  Co.-accounl  of  69 
Newspapers.— uses  made  of  9,  19,  23-power  of  111 
New  tork  Custom  House,  -given  to  iC^-elii: 
tioneering  in,  appointments  at-a  vist  political 
engine  (chaps,  lland  19)  75  and  79-espionage  in 
7S  to  81— Bowne  and  Uwrence's  job  127,  •8--em. 
bezzlements  in  129  to  136-its  patronage  i37-who 

ffl^'^'J,"  ^'  ?  '*'  87-mea3Tre?s'1icWngs  and 

stealings  80-cIerks  and  officers  151. 
New  York  Post  Office.-boxes  134,  salaries,  ib. 
N.  Y.  Evening  Post.-90,  131,  133. 

R  an"f  Ss^geiTc^'Se""  "''"'  '"«  ''-""'«='«  ^• 

n:  y:  sJaTdL"i.-^.'-°"  ^'""°"'  h°-  ^^'  ^■ 

S'  \-  H'^SS-~^°y^  an"!  the  90. 
r^n',^'.^-~^-"'^u'  "^^  "'*"'  Miller-accused  of 
??,  II  n*'  .''"ir"''y-^i^  ??""er  36.  37_introduce8 
Phillips  to  Swart.  33-Butler  an(i  V.  Buren's  in- 
structions to  38  39-his  grievances  3"  40-Sti?e 

tt|s1o-bt&°Vet°^i-St^t^^ 

North  Am'n  Trust  Co.  [Beers.  ]-bankrupt-Hovt 
props  It-notice  of  147  to  149       ""'""'P'    ""'' 

Nominations  JDy  the  people.-Butler  ac'st  38  118- 
bad  system  in  use  73,  139.  «^  ■"•-»,  uo- 

o. 

Oakley,  J.— 'a  original  friend  86-Bemiett  to  92— 

recommends  Wasson  135. 
O  Connell,  Daniel,'8  trial.— 7. 
oS  v^  Appointments.-See  appointments,  &c. 

1^"'im"^'~         " '°  ^°^^  aHd  SwarlwoGt  129, 
Ogbury,  F.-ln  Customs  74. 

a2  85^"'  ^'  ^■■■''"  **"""  ^^'  ^^■•°"  ^"''o"'  House 
Olco'tt,  T.  W.-..17,  18,  19,  30,  104,  125,  147. 


Phel|s,  Thaddeus....notice  of  1I4,  repeal  letter,  ib. 


Phillips,  Joshua.- -a  •600,000  embeiilement-Noth 

his  endorser  38— notice  of  129 
Phillips,  Naphtali    -Noah's  partner  37,  38,  39,  40 
fitclier.  Col.  Nath'l.   -72--.an  honest  man  overthrown 

and  regency  taeed  45-ln  opposition  102. 
(•"Ik,  Ja«.  K. -how  he  treats  Jackson's  memory  106— 

in  Congress  109-selecta  Uwrence  106.  llO.-Wlia 

lJ6-appoinld  B.  F.  Butler  141. 
Postage  rate.").— 108. 
Price,  William  M.-helps  politicians  to  places  82— 

his  appointment  140. 
Purdy,  Elijah  P.   -gets  office  76-conduct  on  the  law 

bench,  16.  -repraaeats  gen'l  gov't  at  Syracuse  82— 

proclamation  82. 


Quackenboss,  M.  M.-86. 
R. 

Religion.-Mr.  Butler  on  14,  26,  29,  144. 
Revenue.-returns  at  N.  Y.  129,  fraudulent  130  to 

1  •36— collection  137. 
Rogers,  Judge  Hal8ey.-30--in  lobby  122. 
Root  Gen'l  li;rastus.-27,  72,  101-t.n  Und  co.  123. 
Rudd,  Theron.— sad  mistake  of  142. 

S. 


Safety  Fund.-68,  106. 
Selden,  Dudlpy.-in  Congress,  kc.  109,  113. 
gfV'er,  Senator,  of  Ark.-Smithson  legacy  and  132. 
,  "^.^'J^^Ser,  Judge  &C.-26,  39-meddles  in  poli- 
tics 103. 

Slavery. ••- 106, 108,  llO-Cambreleng  or.  106-lts  ef- 
fects 121. 

Smith,  Morgan  L.— 108,  119. 

Smith,  T.  L.— the  Calhoun  man  46,  57. 

Smithson  bequest. — 132. 

Smuggling  in  N.  Y.  State.— 152. 

Southwick,  Solomon.— his  vote  for  governor  42. 

Spencer,  Ch'f  Just.-Butler  on  139. 

Spencer,  John  C.—anti -slavery  108. 

Spencer,  Mark.— 28,  29,  69,  75. 

Spicer,  General  Peter.— accepts  office  75,  his  his- 
tory, tb. 

Standing  armies  dangerous  to  liberty.  — 12. 

Staples,  Seth.-(ni  stock-jobbing  126. 

Stock- jobbing.— see  '  Butler,'  '  J.  Barker,'  '  Wet- 
more,'  'J.  Van  Buren,'  'J.  Hoyt,'  'Beers,'  'Ed- 
monds,' '  Bishop,'  '  Kemble,'  '  Swartwout,'  '  Law- 
ence,'— Marcy  on  67— a  regular  specimen  of  76 
and  104— defined  125— wholesale  in  N.  A.  Trust 
Co.  147  to  149. 

Stone,  Col.  W.  L.— L.  Hoyt  on  41. 

Strong,  Geo.  D.— .ecommends  Le  Foy  82— in  N.  A 

Tru.n  Co.  147,  148. 
Suthirland,  Joel  B.— in  opposition  101. 
Swanton,  Judge.— V.  Burer.  on  119. 
Swartwout,  Samuel— Coddington's  feelings  concern- 
ing 48— letter  to,  16.— writes  Hoyt  to  '  push  like  a 
devil  '—a  regular  spoils-man  60— his  connection 
with  Burr  83-8ettle3  Texas  with  U.  S.  funds  84— 
notice  of,  ib.  and  129— his  default  135,  136. 
Sweet,  Egbert  G.,  Customs.— notices  of  76,  77,  127. 
Swift,  Genl.  Jos.  G.— 77. 

T. 

Talmage,  Thos.  G.— president  of  Beers's  bank  or 

trust  comp.  149. 
Tammany  Hall.— Steph.  Allen's  bankof70— Irving's 

oration  at  71— character  of  73- Bowne  at  128, 139 
Taney,  Chief  Justice.— on  U.  S.  Bank  100. 
Texas.— 108,    110,    121— Swartwout    and   Mason's 

speculations  in  84. 
Thompson,  Jonathan.— efforts  to  displace  as Coll'r  at 

N.  Y.  48,  61   56,  132.  j-  v      1  ai 

Thome,  John  W.,  bank-teller.- 67. 
Throop,  Enos  T.— 10,  31,  36,  44-a  bad  naval  officer 

130,  131— notice  of,  16. 
Tibbets,  Elisha.— his  plan  of  a  U.  S.  Bank  101   104 

—custom  ho.  cora'r  127. 
Tradesmans'  Bank.— 30. 
Treason— Conspiracy.— 9,  12. 


ALPHABETICAL   INDEX. 


TjUt,  PrMld«nt.-hl»  Cuttom  Ho.  Inquiry  97, 130, 

U. 

Ulihoeflbr,  Henry.-hia  letter  to  Hoyt,  egpionaire, 
»nd  dedra  to  fsid  his  family  nt  tlie  public  crib  78  to 

JJIihoeffer.  Michael,   -his  letters  139. 
Unl'ed  Stated  Lombaril  Co.-.75. 
United  Htaiea  Baiiic.— »ec  banli  of  U.  S. 


-hii  rtmoval  82-Mornlnf 


Van  Ness,  Cornellu*  P.- 
News on  86. 
Van  Ness,  Genl.  John  P.— 83. 
Van  Ness,  Judge  W.  W.,  case  of— II    87 
Vanderpool,  Judge  Aaron.— 109.  ' 


^"r  5"""> /"•">  "S-appolnted  Attorney  General 
?„  m  /,':^\'  profane  language  and  unfilneso 
tor  office  69...hls  18  letters,  cursing,  tettln?, 
S""  i'>"*'  ■'o<:'«-Jo''blng,  speculating  with  Hoyt, 
«c.  m  lo  64— avoids  a  correspondence  with  bro- 
Kers  60-lost  a  fortune  by  the  removal  of  the  de- 
posiles—61,  68— enterprise  with  Culling  63,  68--- 
cause  of  Webb's  arrest  68-on  g<M>d  terms  with 
hwartwout  85-a  land  jobber  ia2-row  at  Hudson 

Van  Buren,  Martin.- l.'i,  16-eulogy  on  Clinton  24 - 
was  to  reniove  to  N.  Y.  26  27-chartor»  W.  and 
w.  Bank,  &c.  31 -appoints  Hoyt  Coll'r  Cusfs  N. 
jr.  and  endorses  for  him  3o -looks  very  sharp  after 
money  36 -approve.')  Noah's  course  39 -for  a  cau- 
cus and  sure  of  Crawford's  election  40— account  of 
victory,   Nov.   1828,  bets  and    Noah   42-Noah'8 
characters  of  43,  44-letter8  and  nominations  in 
1H2S  -saves  Marcy  from    ruin  45-characteristic 
corresp.  with  Hoyt  about  office  51  to  66-hlre8  a 
■ealet  de  chambre  Sl-has   Jackson's  confidence 
M-pitiM  the  poor  Whigs  57-unprincipled  59- 
wishes  his  friends  to  electioneer  when  seeking  the 
presidency  63-oplnions  on  banks  65,  98,  99-on 
appointments    72,   73-'s    friend  Spicer    75-and 
Swartwout  85-Cliarleston  Mercury  on  87-direc- 
tor-gen  1  of  the  Argus  89-his  relatives,  lA.-puffs 
Jackson  90-atrection  for  and  hatred  to,  by  J  G 
Bennett  91  to  96-correspondence  94,  95-beg3  for 
a  wing  of   the  monster'  98-omces  103-sub-treas. 
106-trusts  in  Providence  119-on  foreigners  119- 
gets  charter  for  Buffalo  Bank  122-i8  rich   123- 
anti-renters  and  123,  124-puffs  Throop  130-pro- 
Con"  ^"fls       ™  ^^  132-wamed  of  Hoyt  by 
Van  Buren,  a/ioa  bucktail,  alias  regency,  alias  re- 
publican, a/iau  hunkers,  alias  •  regular'  democrats. 
«aa*  spoils  party.-their  secret  objects  and  policy 
laid  bare.-See  the  index  and  vol.  generally. 


W. 

Wagers  on  elections.— Sec hets 

^o'Tsee  li^eT-lloS:'  '"'"^"'"*'"'  "'  '•"■  P*'  '»"''• 
War.-.-opinions  on  34,  H6-and  war  taxes  152. 
Washington  and  Warren  Bank.-Some  account  of  It, 
106  144  "  "  obtained  30,  3l-flutler  orj 

Wnssin,  George  A.-his  Custom  House  roguery  130. 
Wa  ers  Tallman  J.-Hoyt's  cashier  130,  to*'l33r 
Webb  (,ol   J.  w.-nrrcHied  in  England  68-Bennett 

on  {.'our.  &  EiKi.  <J2.  93. 
Weed,  Thurlow.-renmrks  on  Hoyt  by  35 

med":i',';)?r""''"  ""'  ''''"  ^""'"  P"'y  <"°' 

^to'Io^"'  ■'"'""'  ^«'sher.-what  he  is  and  doe* 

Wetmore,  Gen'l  Prosper  M.-indicted  for  fraud  69- 
related  to  Ogsbury  74- V.  P.  U.  S.  Lombard  Co. 
(its  character)  75-navy  ag't,  N.  Y.,  i6.-.-148. 

Wheeler,  John  M.  (or  W.)-notlced  85. 

Whigs,  the.-  61,  62,  78  to  80-Marcy  on  113. 

White,  Camplioll  P.-in  Congress  109  -In  the  Man- 
hattan Bank,  and  V.  Burcn's  Park  meeting  121. 

w'''',v"^"'"yr  ^•■■■°"  '^^  "^-  f-'iwtom  House  1^. 

Woodbury,  Levi.-Bowne's  bank  and  128-mi8Con- 
duct  as  secretary  134  to  1,37. 

^i'oo'Tck""' '""'*"*  sets  Hoyt  to  deceive 

^o^^''iii^'i2'-7'""*^  ^""^""  ""'  "fthe  Canal  Board 
^i),  4b,  4a-denounce3  belling  on  elections  67,.- 
opposes  Young  73  -for  Butler  lOO-inslrucls  the 
legislature  of^Y.  on  the  bank  102,  103-notice 

F^monds^a^l'i'/ir""^  ^^"'  ^"^  '^•—''" 


Yates,  Governor. -25,  73,  139. 
Yates,  John  V.  N.-censured  111. 
Young,  Col   Samuel. -34-notice  of  72,  73-refu«e(l 
to  ait  with  Bishop  126. 


BENJj! 


Introduction. 
Judiciary, 
be  published  ? 
the  Conventi 

This  volumi 
assemble  for  tl 
appears  probat 
be  held  in  1841 

The  Declara 
this  State  put 
will  probably  a 
prosperity.  E 
pie — they  have 
ment,  with  iti 
administered — 
dealings  and  cl 
intellect,  the  t 
that  great  bene 

The  time  sui 

an  attempt  seri 

gested  twenty  ' 

that  Common  ] 

William  Samps 

law  bench  may 

Spartans  that  h 

Leuctra ;  thoug 

tions  which  cha 

civil  war  broke 

have  as  yet  mat 

written,   were, 

arbitrary  will  of 

Many  persons 

but  a  small  sup] 

the  principal  O: 

case  was  cavriec 

English  judges, 

were  batl— and  I 

good !    This  is 

in  our  Common 

reversed — broug 

of  Barry,  vs.  Mi 

justice  at  Comm 


LIVES 


or 


BENJAMIN  F.  BUTLER  AND  JESSE  HOYT. 


deceiva 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introduction.  The  Convention  of  1846.  A  Revision  of  the  Commmon  Law.  The 
Jurftaary  rAe  Ekctive  System.  Treason.  In  what  cases  should  private  papers 
thi'convmtio       ^'"*^-^"^-^'^'''"*  *""*'^  «^<""«'  <^  Republic.     Hopes  resting  on 

This  volume  is  respectfully  inscribed  to  the  Electors  of  the  Convention,  next  to 
assemble  for  the  Revision  of  the  Constitution  of  the  State  of  New  York— and  it 
brcld^n'"°1846    ^^^*  *^^^  "^^'^ '^^"'^^  "^''^  November  that  that  Convention  shall 

*i,'^fe?^'''"*^'°"°^^"'^^P^"^^"''«  was  issued,  and  the  Common  School  Law  of 
this  State  put  m  operation,  amidst  war  and  tumult,  but  the  Convention  of  1846 
r„liU°^  ^T?f  ^""^^^  l"**  deliberate  in  peaceful  times,  and  amidst  wide  spread 
prospeTity.     Education  has  been  long  and  very  generally  diffused  among  the  peo- 
ple—the)^  have  the  experience  of  threescore  and  ten  years  of  republican  govern- 
ment,  with   Its  inestimable   advantages,   and   great  imperfections,   as  thus    far 
admmistered— and  if  they  send  to  the  Convention,  men  <jf  probity  in  their  personal 
fnttK  ^Ji    ''i'"^^^''.'"'  and  of  active  patriotism,  united  m  ith  a  clear  and  cultivated 
w^  '.u      n^  friendof  America  and  republican  institutions  may  anticipate 
that  great  benefits  to  the  country  will  result  from  their  deliberations, 
an  Of.®  *'T  ''"J^'y 'l^^vs  near  in  which  the  friends  of  freedom  in  America  will  see 
^Ifl/?'^   seriously  made  to  accomplish  what  the  far-seeing  Clinton  wisely  sug- 
gested twenty  years  since,  the  framing  of  a  code  of  American  Laws  in  the  room  of 
Wmi.lTr  ^^^'   (««  called,)  which,  in  the  language  of  Thomas  Cooper  to 
law  he^^h  Jr,P'°l!'      '^  'inything  that  the  legislative  propensity  of  the  common 
Snar5an?fh^tr^°°'l*°  '"''''"'  ^^•"     ^ycurgus,   though  he  impressed  upon  the 
T Er"    i       uT  '='^'*'\cter  which  yielded  not  even  on  the  calamitous  day  of 
tinna^Vil    K^     ^!  *^"^^*  ^^""^  "°*  ^^^"ly)  ^^at  lovc  of  country  and  its  institu- 
P  vn  Jn.  kII    "^^'^  ^  ''°'"l"P^  populace  into  a  nation  of  patriots,  among  whom  no 
havelvPti-"''"  a  thousand  years-yet  even  Lycurgus  failed,  where  we 
wrifto?  ^  ^  questionable  progress-for  the  Laws  in  Lacedamon  not  bein? 

SitrnrvrnrVl?  ''''"T  ^i""-^''  interpreted  [Morris  fashionl  according  to  the 
artutrary  will  of  those  who  administered  them. 

hn?7ZPif'°"',^"PP°'^  ^^''^  ''"'  N-  Y-  Revised  Statutes  are  the  law.  They  are 
the  nr?r^^lW™®"*T°  '^^ r.^''  ^^^^^^  O'Connell  was  tried  not  long  since  in 
ca.L^wn»  L.  PT"^^  I^,^^  Court  of  Ireland,  for  sedition,  and  convicted.  His 
F^^l.T-7™^*°  ^"^'^"^  f°''  '•^^isio"'  ^nd  his  condemnation  reversed.  The 
wpI  Ko/^^i'.u°  ^  '"^"'  ^^'^'^^^^  *h^*  the  most  important  counts  in  the  indictment 
3»     T^fo"-  ""^""y  ''?^^^  *^^  Irish  judges  had,  after  argument,  held  to  be 

in  nnr  r  '^  ?"'  ^'^orted  Common  Law.  Cases  of  general  interest  are  decided 
lpvprL?T°"  t^"^  ^"""^^  '"  ^^"^  State-carried  up  to  the  Supreme  Court- 
of  Rn.r?r        °^/     "^''^.  '"*°  ^^^  C°""  of  Errors,  and  reversed  over  again.     Th^f 

{usUce  at  Common  Law'  ^^'^""""^  "^  "^^"^  ''''"°'  '^'  P""''  """  ^"  °^  '^^^'^'^ 


•  A  LITIGIOUS  CONSTITUTION. 

remembprp/K-'l  ""n"  "^  ^mbezzled  by  public  officen,.     No  Common  Uw  can  he 

^;Zl?"k  T^,*"*  ""'"^  ^^'^^  '"  valuable  in  o\ix  borrowed  Chmcery  svstcm— LawTers 

wh7n^;  make  hso"  "'"^  ^  ""^^  '"'"  ^'  ''P'™'"  "''"  "''^"'^8^'' '  '''"*  '<""  "  "«». 
fiv.^'jL'f  ^*?*'  P^^ediiro,  or  forms  and  procecdinffs  in  our  courts,  so  mysterious. 
Z.hI^  ^1^^' !:*1?'  •"'*•''"  '•'^•^  ^''^'"f  Al'e^n  the  Mayor's  clerk,  are  often 

?ustS  T..r''  ""  °^  *^""I!  '''!l*  r  ""  '*•«''  *'"«  ""'"ts  r  The  people  choos^  tS 
&?k'  '"!'  ""'"V?  •'  'J""''"'*^''  "f  ♦^'•^•"'  ^hen  so  chosen,  can  poosibly  compre- 
hend the  complicated  legal  system  which  is  the  rule  of  thei\  proceedings^     PoUtl 

vet^nrnpZ  '^"S'"^''^t»'^»i^»  ">en  '^'^  «"  »  common  footing  in  the  eye  of  the  law, 
Satfvplv  mL  ,^''"  ''""""'''  '"'*""/  ^^  *'"""'"'"»  "'°™  equally  diffused,  are 
noor  l?hLH  i  """"^  concentrated  in  a  few  hands,  while  the  condition  of  the 
pooHaborer  has  changed  for  the  worse.     TA,.  „  the  workmg  of  a  lu,g,ous  conslt- 

thiIs°t«^?*'Tl'' J?*l?®  "Oo^  ^''^^^  ''°""«  '""  «"«  "^  ^'^at  P«wer  and  dignity  in 
this  btate.     The  station  of  Senator,  with  a  voice  in  the  court  of  last  resort,  enables 

ftrthrrZnM/^f^'T  \v'^«S.i"fl"ence  for  good  or  evil.  Yet  I  need  gone 
n«fil  ?  i  ^T'  ^'■''"^*' '"  ^'^^  '"  '*'^  '^"^«'»*'  f«'  evidence  that  substantial 
m?ni-fJL  w  ,  *^"^**'°"''"  '"^"y  ^^e"'  ""'ler  the  present  system,  as  ad- 
^b«n  tl  A  ^'^^"g>'^'n  w'^  severely  punished  for^  meddling  with  private  matters 
B^onlfJI  '*°?>'°'i'r'  the  bribery  of  Lord  Verulam_bt- he  was  right- 
»t  nnn,o  •  r^'t"?"!!  ^Tust  that  I  shall  be  found  fully  able  to  meet  all  attempts 
When  in  ^1  ,«Jo''Ik*'^t.*^''''^'''P^™'^*«  '"  ^^e  ensuing  chapters  may  subject  me. 
Arm-s'  ^.?  ^jM^®'.  ^'t  I^emocratic  Review,  bax:ked  as  it  was  by  the  Gfobe  and 
Argus,  declared  that «'  the  boasted  '  independence  of  the  judiciary  '  is  soon  found 
w  be  mere  mdependence  of  common  sense  and  common  justice,"  I  doubted.  It 
Mocednr«'!!f/*TT°""u-^"ir''^^  'i^.^^^'®  P^»^«'  ^^^^  ' he  private  opinion  and 
S?.  J  L   O^SdHvalT'  "*  '        ""^  ^™'"  *^®  P"^''°  admissions  of 

tbrt.I!fnlT  must  not  be  nice  about  details  when  its  existence  or  its  liberties  „re 
W  wJ'  ''Whether  from  within  or  without.  The  public  safety  is  the  supreme 
t^H^«,ifv!.  fi?  "  ^  "'^"  who  can  turn  from  a  perusal  of  the  facts  I  have  submit- 
f^lThl  J,  ^'"^  convinced  that  there  is  a  mercenary  faction  in  our  midst,  bound 
together  by  powerful  ties,  strong  and  united,  sordid  and  selfish  in  every  thing- 
acting  irt  concert  and  for  a  common  purpose,  the  destruction  of  that  manly  inde- 
penaence  ot  thought  and  action  which  is  the  glory  of  our  age  and  country  ?  Listen 
flTA*T^^\^  ^^^  ^'''^  himself  speaks  in  these  pages.  Where  is  one  of  them 
ifflf.*-  ^^u-  u  \^^'™  aspiration  of  generous  sympathy  for  the  sufferings  and 
afflictions  which  chequers  life  to  the  whole  family  of  inan  / 

;„.,  """i  ^an  Buren  has  been  named  in  some  of  our  most  wide  spread  public 

journals  as  a  probable  candidate  at  no  very  distant  day  for  the  Presidency.  Look 
«1  „!!!1"  ^^"^^y  ^*~^"  *he  mirror  himself  has  polished.  His  father  is  making 
no  common  exertions  to  attain  a  second  time  to  the  chair  of  Jackson.  Observe 
«f,„i,  •  V"P  ■  ^^  *''*'"'^'  ^"«*  8*y  if  he  deserves  it  ?  Mr.  Butler  has  an  office  of 
whoii"  f  ^"''•^  '"  ^}l  administration  of  justice.  Hear  him,  that  ye  may  determine 
r^  ?o  ?  '1  ^^^  ^''l^^  ■  ^^-  Hoyt'8  political  annals  are  less  important  on  his 
own  account,  than  as  showing  the  means  whereby  his  artful  employers  got  and 
*eRt  for  years  the  reins  of  state  in  this  Union.  t   j        n 

«5*r.»  T,.*^*,H*T°f  *^^^'*he  most  important  and  influential  offices  in  this 

f-^»  «l'^  withheld  from  the  nomination  and  appointment  of  the  millions.  Draw 
^l^A  I  *"^'i^l"'  ^  \  have  done,  and  behold  how  that  patronage  has  been  exer- 
otli^  **»•  *^^^^pted  agents.  I  trust  that  the  Convention  will  aid  the  constituen- 
nn!fni?  ^  f/-  ""^  °^  *,  Regency  at  Albany,  and  all  its  branches  in  the  several 
Ti,;lu%  1  f  *5?®  *^®  Empire  State  were  rid  of  the  Coddington  tribe,  who, 
thJl  .f  */?etty  like,  are  ready  to  break  up  any  government  the  hour  it  is  formed, 
mat  hesitates  to  retain  a  legion  of  bribed  and  pensioned  partisans. 


I 


If  Mr.  Rri 

says,  and  \t' '. 
in  It  not  ;in  a 
descriti'il  by 
time  arrivii  ii 
thoir  ijiii'titM 
wealth,  and  I 
of  the  (Tohvv 
clans,  tend  tii 
of  deceptive  I 
is  raised  to  w 
Has  not  trc 
volume  and  d 
Treason,  it 
and  con8|)ira(' 
by  paprrs.  'I 
tnakes  it  neee 
that  tiie  drea( 
session  of,  an 
the  conspiratc 
t rated. 

When,  at  a 
cnce,  treason 
erl'iil  enemy, 
certain  papers 
had  conspired 
the  letters  of 
dential,  were 
fared  no  betti 
Senate,  wliicl 
a  moment  in  ji 
violation  of  t 
conspiiaey  .-i 
for  the  trenera 
houn  and  Gen 
Calhoun,  accn 
days  lonij  jjon 
dissension  sou 
might  be  bene 
of  which  he  w 
Mr.  Crawford' 
tamperinii-  an( 
pressed,  whol 
lenH'hcn  his  si 
Mr.  Cambre 
readily  inlerrei 
dressed  to  his 
May  lUth,  183 

"  Deah  H 

I  have 
deliberate  BU' 
Judire  to  favor 
returned — it  m 
IT.  IT'S  A  : 
present  statemi 
he  found  my  st 
it  over  himself. 
Don't  mentic 
will  come  up 
of  June. 


Fn.vit,  r-niTORs — private  papers— conspiracies. 


0 


If  Mr.  RrmKH  ..I  th,-  H.-rald  circilatos  nearly  50,000  newspapers  weekly,  as  ho 
says,  and  il  Mr.  .\,.:ih  n  |.n'.s,s  wmtmuoH  to  receive  .some  share  of  public  minnort. 
IS  It  not  an  a.lvanlaire  to  society  to  ol.tain  in  thi«  volnn.e,  their  characters  correcllv 
deserih..lbylhe,n.selve.sl  '['hey  are  the  representatives  of  a  eia.s«.  HhoiiMtlio 
line  arrive  in  which  the  ntatCMinan,  hiwyer,  an.l  e.litor  w.H  he  ready  to  hire  out 
their  alenis  and  inlluenee  lo  the  hijrhrst  bidder,  will  not  the  elllTls  of  concenlrated 
wealth  an.l  lucrative  olhces  in  the  KiCt  of  partisan  leach-rs,  applied  to  the  easy  virtue 
o  the  (.ro.vv..lls  and  the  Kla.r.,  the  Noahs  and  the  Henneits,  with  others  of  their 
claMs,  tend  to  mislead  many,  and  en.lanprer  the  public  welfare  <  Are  not  a  band 
of  deceptive  hireliiiif  •'ditors  like  a  U'dge.  of  sunken  rocks,  on  which,  if  no  beacon 
13  raused  to  warn  the  mariner,  ihc  most  (jallant  ship  may  be  wrecked  • 

Has  not  treason  b.u'n  connnitte.l  against  the  state!    The  public  will  read  thia 
volume  and  deliver  it.s  imi)artial  awnrd. 

Treason,  in  the  t-eneral  nature  of  it,  must  bo  the  crime  of  many.  It  implies  plots 
and  conspiracies,  which  are  carry! ntf  on  by  correspondence,  and  arc  to  be  discovered 
bypnprrs.  1  he  salety  ol  the  state,  which  is  superior  to  every  other  consuleration, 
lakes  It  necessary  to  use  all  possible  means  to  unmask  the  machinations  of  treason 
that  the  dread  111  ellects  may  be  prevented.  Far'rs,  therefore,  mav  bo  taken  ..os- 
session  ot,  and  letters  intercepted,  as  warlike  stores  are  secured,  that  the  dcsij-ns  of 
the^conspirators  may  be  made  known  to  those  whom  they  would  betray,  and  Irus- 

When,  at  a  time  of  much  doubt  and  difficulty,  during  the  struggle  for  indepcnd- 
once,  treason  was  ready  to  deliver  the  important  fortress  of  West  Point  to  a  now- 
erlul  cn.-u.y.  tor  money,  its  designs  were  opportunely  defeated,  by  the  seizure  of 
certain  papers  in  a  distinguished  .liu-er's  boot.  When  Messrs.  Hishop  and  Kemble 
had  conspired  with  others  to  betray  their  country,  and  nullify  public  justice  for  gain, 
the  letters  ot  these  senators  and  their  a.ssooiales.  even  the  most  private  and  confil 
dential,  were  published  to  the  world,  as  a  warning  to  others.  General  Jasper  Ward 
hired  no  better  U  hen  a  treaty  was  under  consideration  in  the  United  States' 
Senate.  Wi.ich  Mr.  J  appan  believed  to  be  injurious  to  his  country,  he  hesitated  not 
a  moment  in  publishing  its  most  secret  conditions,  fearless  of  the  consequences  of  a 
'oiu"  J  "^,:"i^«-'*'"J  in  the  case  of  Jacob  Harker,  and  others,  indicted  for 
vonspiKuy  .1  H.f)-/,  private  letters  and  agreements  were  produced,  unhesitatin.-lv. 
.or  the  general  good.  I  quote  high  authority  when  I  mention  the  case  of  Mr.  Call 
houn  and  General  Jackson,  in  which,  after  a  visit  to  Mr.  Crawford,  by  a  rival  of 
(.alhoun.  accompanied  by  Mr.  Cambreleng,  the  secrets  oi  Mr.  Monroe's  cabinet,  in 
.  ajs  long  gone  by,  were  laid  bare,  by  Mr.  Crawford,  private  letters  expo.^ed,  and 
di.scns.on  sown  broad-cast  betvveen  long  tried  fricnds-not  that  the  public  sen-ice 
Tub,  f  h"""'';- ''n^ '*' ?.?'•'"  '"' "'"''it'ous  aspiianito  seize  the  helm  of  sta.e, 
ot  which  he  was  ot  all  candidates  the  most  unfit  and  unworthy.    Very  ditferent  wa^ 

•nmn^'r  i'r"'''''''''"?"7'  ""  '^7  <-0"?ress  for  official  papers,  to  show  the 
.amperng  and  bargaining  with  ifw  <kpos,te  Banks  of  his  day.     Many  were  sup- 

Eh  I  ,  ^TTr-''  "i.",''^*''''  «'■  Parbled-and  the  exposure  of  this  did  not 
lengthen  his  step-ladder  to  Mr.  Monroe's  seat. 

.oi;  m;  ^:^^,'"^''^1'-;>S's  views  of  the  sanctity  of  confidential  correspondence,  may  be 
drS'fl^h'^  f  "i  the  content^  of  the  following  letter,  marked  "  private."  ad- 
May  lit  h"  fj32         '  ''     ^^''  ^*  ^'""^  ^""'^^  '■'''™  Washington,  and  dated 

Z'^Jnl  t  /  V  \  PICKLE,  and  will  expose  some  small  contradictions  of  his 
present  statements-and  show  some  little  duplicity.      The  Judge  can  tell  him  that 

It  ovrhiSr'""'"'  °*"'^'  ^"'^  '"^^'"'^  '"'^ '°"  •""'j*^''^^^'  ^"'^  '^■'''  h«  ™« 

v.m°n}  "'^"t'°."  a^out  the  letter  to  Clayton-Ac  unll  frohahh/  pubh.^h  it.     The  Rank 

of  June       "^  '"      ""  ^"""^^^    "'-^*  '''''^'^-"  won't  disturb  us  before  the  middle 

Sincerely  yours, 

2  C,  C.  CAMBRELENG." 


10 


customs'    duties HOYt's    LETTEKS THE   A11GU8. 


RIGH 


I  quote  the  two  last  cases,  and  that  which  next  follows — not  approvingly — but 
as  evidence  of  the  senf-o  in  whiei-  parties  of  wliom  this  volume  has  much  to  say, 
view  ;he  publication  of  ci'iifidontial  papers. 

Mr.  Wood,  an  importer  in  IJew  York,  paid  (I  tliink  to  Mr.  Swartwout)  duties  on 
largre  invoices  of  woollens,  which,  on  a  careful  examination,  the  appraisers  for  the 
U.  S.  declared  to  be  fairly  valued.  A  Mr.  George  R.  Ives,  of  Brooklyn,  was  the 
confidential  correspondent  of  Wood's  father,  wno  failed  in  England,  and  his  prop- 
erty went  to  assignees,  to  whom  this  Mr.  Ives  was  the  agent  and  attorney. 
"  Lender  ll.e  spcious  pretext,"  .say  the  Commissioners  for  the  U.  S.,  *' of  bein^ 
called  on  hy  Mr  Hoyt,  for  the  correspondence,  he  delivereJ  them  up,  and  testified 
to  them  in  court,  books,  private  letters,  a:id  invoices,"  and  was  thereby  enabled  to 
hold  on  to$  12,000  of  the  elder  Wood's  money,  his  (Ives's)  evidence  alone  having 
induced  tiie  jury  to  give  a  $  13,000  verdict  ag:?inst  the  son  for  a  violation  of  the 
revenue  laws.  The  Commissioners  add,  that  "  the  manner  in  which  the  disclosures 
were  made  by  Ivp«,  and  his  subsequent  testimor,y  in  court,  liear  strong  marks  of 
collusion  betvvf  ;n  hiin  and  the  collector,  founded  or.  the  mutual  hope  of  pecuniary 
gain."  This  is  the  Ives  wliose  invoices  were  entered  below  value,  w.iose  fraudu- 
lent entries  produced  no  seizure,  whose  checks  on  lime,  before  his  iaiiure,  were 
taken  by  Hoyt  as  cash  for  duties,  who  hind  assistant  cashiers,  and  of  whom  Mr. 
Taylor  swore  that  he  had  tohi  him  of  a),  offer  made  him  of  $2,000,  to  act  as  a  spy 
on  the  merchants.  Mr.  Hoyt  thinks  it  fair  to  go  thus  far  at  leiist,  to  put  down 
fraud  in  another's  case,  but  when  his  own  papers  are  taken  by  the  Comrnissioners 
for  a  like  purpose,  he  speedily  changes  his  mind. 

Mr.  Hoyt  left  in  the  Custom  House  fifteen  volumes  of  letters,  which  were  de- 
livered to  the  U.  S.  Com'rs,  by  Mr,  Curtis.  "This  correspondence  discloses 
numerous  valuable  facts  in  relation  to  the  mal-practiccs  and  defalcations  of  Mr. 
Hoyt,"  said  Governor  Poindexter.  Mr.  Hoyt  prepared  to  quash  inquiry,  and 
obtain  the  letters  by  a  writ  of  replevin,  and  might  have  destroyed  them  at  little 
cost  had  they  not  been  wisely  scut  olf  to  Washington.  Had  they  been  private  letters 
they  had  nc  business  in  the  Custom  House— an'<.  when  -.  Collector  leaves  a  public 
office,  and  (like  a  bad  lodger  who  leaves  his  wallet,  uecamps  between  two  days, 
carrying  off  the  family  plate,  and  forgetting  to  pay  his  board  bill,)  slipping  a 
fevv  hundred  thousand  dollars  in  bank  notes,  into  his  vali..;,  scatters  the  fif- 
teen volumes  c."  correspondence  of  his  confederates,  among  its  official  records, 
justice  to  outraged  society  seems  to  require  that  the  means  of  exposure  thus  be- 
queathed should  be  used  as,  perhaps,  he  intended  they  «b'juld  be — to  balance  his 
accounts.  A  lazy  fellow  would  sweep  them  into  the  street — one  more  active  would 
copy,  an  J  publish  them.     They  had  no  business  there. 

I  think  the  Argus,  at  Albany,  has  always  acted  on  a  very  lax  code  of  morals 
about  papers.  I  could  give  a  hundred  cases  where  it  has  published  private  letters 
that,  Glentworth  like,  had  got  into  its  power.  I  remember,  for  instance,  a  very 
confidential  one,  from  Mr.  Ue  Witt  Bloodgood,  to  his  friend  in  Illinois,  that  was 
published  as  containing  a  plot.  Mr.  Croswell  will  find  in  the  Memoirs  of  his  friends 
Hoyt  and  Butler,  a  supply  of  plots,  sufficient  for  years  to  come.  His  friend  Gov- 
ernor Throop  professed  to  admire  "the  blessed  spirit  of  anti-masonry,"  founded  as 
it  was  on  that  innate  love  of  justice  to  all  which  animates  every  faithful  breast,  and 
which  had  been  outraged  by  the  secret  destruction  of  a  citizen^  who  had  published 
certain  private  papers,  which  lew  would  have  ever  heard  of,  had  not  the  bu'lies  and 
rowdies  of  his  day,  urged  or.  by  short-sighted  fools,  in  the  back  ground,  enrolleJ  his 
name  among  the  martyrs  of  the  west,  and  awarded  him  a  place  in  his  country's 
annals.  It  will  oe  found  by  Mr.  C,  that  I  have  not  entirely  forgotten  Governor 
Throop. 

Papers  are  the  depositories  of  our  fortune — the  trustees  of  our  credit,  character, 
and  reputation — our  closest  confidents.  Secrets  that  n.ay  cost  a  man  his  life,  or 
which  niLU  would  rather  die  than  have  discovered,  secrets  of  trade,  viiis,  setlle- 
inents,  things  on  which  the  peace  of  famiUes,  and  the  love  and  union  of  relatives 
may  depend,  are  often  to  be  found  among  a  person's  private  papers,  t7i  his  closet — 
ami  all  attempts  to  invade  the  sanctity  of  a  private  dwelling,  on  any  other  ground 
than  treason  against  the  state,  or  even  then  unless  on  information  on  oath,  and  in  a 
legal  way,  to  search  for,  seize,  or  pry  into  any  man's  confidential  records,  cannot 
be  too  severely  condemned.   The  Rev.  Mr.  O'Coig'ey  was  sentenced  and  executed 


on  the  oath 
treasonable  i 
the  scaffold, 
never  seen, 
reward.     Pr 
examined, 
tors,  and  Dis 
from  mine ; 
The  writer, 
invades    no 
refers  to  pan 
before  him,  i 
of  the  AmerJ 
In  many  c 
are  taken.     ] 
the  work,  ar 
before  me. 
inencss  of  ar 
produce  the  - 
course  whem 
called  for  by 
the  United  Si 
I  may  here 
ges  of  quoted 
The  views 
ceeding  chapt 
to  believe  the 
though  he  ass 
be  known  to 
private  papers 
concordance  v 
is  said  to  hav( 
so  high  that  t 
they  real  or  fi( 
The  conventic 
Men  estimc 
Van  Ness,  the 
entry  of  the  | 
seen  such  an  e 
I  would  have  ' 
not.     So,  in  li 
New  York  in 
much  of  the  p 
the  political  a 
Globe  of  Augu 
pendence  of  co 
'state's  evider 
SNu-  spoke  by 
once  filled  by 
from  RUIN. 

The  compile 
the  maUirials  f( 
tage  from  its  p 
sibility  therewi 
ever  been  inim 
and  rapine,  pre 
for  example,  u 
cherished  as  thi 
villages,  town.s, 
under  the  bann 
other  apparatus 


RIGHT  OF  SEARCH— LAWS  NEVER  WRITTEN— JUDGE  VAN  NESS.  11 

on  the  oath  of  a  police  officer,  who  swore  he  found  a  printed  proclamation  of  a 
hP  scJIfr  n  "^""?T  '"  ^'^  ^'''''  .^°^'  P"^"^^*'  ^  P^°elamation,  which   o"cW  ey  on 

never  eei'  '"tI olT  '" ^'T'''  ^'^"''  '^'^  ^°'''  ^^"^'^  '>^^^^"  ^°  ^•i'"«««  ^e^haS 
rZnJ     V  f  ^^•^'  '^  '"  supposed,  put  it  in  his  pocket,  for  the  offered 

l2^Li     "K^r^frt'^^^^^^  '""^  ^'  «^'/.rf  to,'those  seized  or 

fnrt  i  n-  ^^'Yf  of  t^lentworth  shows  that  Mayors,  Recorders,  Judges,  Sena- 
tors, and  District  Attorneys,  have  defended  and  acfed  on  very  diflLrent^pr inches 

The  wrS  wh  let:  '""i''  ''^"'r'^"  "^"1'°'"  ^'"^^'"'"-'^  ^^  especially  tS 
invuln«    n  .'  ^  condemns  their  procedure,  invites  them  to  examine  his.     He 

re'-ers ?o  n.JT'^"'-^  ""  conii.lence-circulates  no  secret  record-hut 
before  Z^n  ,1,  fT''<f'""*^f  m  "''"=''. ^^'^«'  ^^  is  presumed,  intentionally  placed 
oft  eA,uericr?ll      r^''"^''"""^  against  the  liherties  and  franchises 

01  tlie  American  people.     ^(^  honest  man  can  or  will  conceal  treason. 

are  tn^n"^  Tm^v  h'  *."h  \  ^Tl  ''''"^^  '"''  ^'^'^^  '"  ^"''-  Sometimes  extracts 
1  e  work   nn  1   nn^  11  ''^'  "'°  ''^"''  ^"^  ^'=^''"^''-     ^^^  "''J'^^ts  Were  to  shorten 

before  mn  ll'  ^  '  "«  P"vate  matter,  unless  it  had  a  bearing  on  the  subject 
inen  ss  of"  anv  T.VTI""^  «gJ?neved,  or,  if  there  are  those  who  doubt  the  genu- 
Sf/p  f.!^'  i^-*^''  correspondence,  he  or  they  will  easily  find  the  way  to 
cnnl.  t  u  "^'"^  '  '"  ""  ^""*  °^  '=^^^-  I  s'>=^'l  '^e  most  happy  to  aid  in  such  a 
call  d  f^r  hTrr  ''"''"'''  ""r'^'^V-     ^"'"''  °^  ^'^'^  clocumenK-ill,  no  doubt  be 

tt'tued  Stores  wr "  "^^'"''^"^^  °*  ''•  ^ -"'''''  '"'^y  «-^  ^'-^"^  -^y  ^« 

ires  Sm.ot'o  1  ''"'"'  "'"'  *^°  ''"'"'  ^"^^  CAPITALS  used  to  mark  particular  passa- 
ges of  quoted  papers  arc,  in  most  cases,  not  so  marked  in  the  originals. 

ceedinVSer^'l^H '' ^1- "''"'"""  ""^'^  P°''''"=^'  opinions  are  adverted  to  in  suc- 
ceeding cliapters,  with  relerence  to  that  part  of  our  adoplcd  laws,  wliich,  if  we  are 

be  k^own  toX'L"n  'M!  "'"''■  'T  '"^"™  «'  P""*'''''  ^"'1  therefore  could  no 
private  nanprs^'^rPu!''  P'""''^'.  ^'^^''^  ^"'^  ^'^  "  °"  '^"^  "g^t  of  s.arcA  for 
foncordanoP  wi,wT  ""'f  ''"°T  '"  ' "'  community,  as  also  (heir  practice  in  strict 
IS  Said  to  hnv^  ?  th^f  ""^"'"''J^  '«'«^.  that  I  need  only  allude  to  them  here.  Nero 
fo  Idl  ?h  f  thpv"'  1  ,^^'.^::?"l^t.ons  to  be  written  in  small  characters,  and  posted 
thevfea  orVo^f/  """^  difficulty  be  read.     Mr.  Morris's  borrowed  rules,  be 

Sconvpn.in      yf'iT  "^""'^^  '^^"  '^"^  ^^^''''^'  f«'  y°"  ^=1"  fi"d  them  nowhere  ! 

Men  S^^p"^^  i^  ^  ''.?''  J?'*'^^''":  f  '^"^^  of  genuine  "  home  manufacture." 
Va^Ness  t^  Banf'nf"A^  "•'''  °?J'^^ti°"«  »»  ^o-^^cty.     In   the  case   of  Judge 
emTvo?L%S^nL^^      T-^^  the  minute  book  that  had  the 

see7sSch  an  !ntrv  S«  i  ^'^'T^'  ^ad  I  been  their  most  confidential  servant,  and 
T  xvnnH  V,r  ^  "''•'^  ''^^^  P'°^"^  •''  '"'"'^ter  of  justice  unworthy  of  his  seat, 
I  would  have  very  soon  made  my  country  aware  of  it,  whether  it  suited  the  bank  o^ 

New&in  nnnJ^T*'';,''''  ^  ''"""""''^  the  conduct  of  the  Bank  of  the  State  of 
mu^hof  thp.  Kr  ''"^''^'^  ^'"""""t  current  of  a  man  proved  to  have  embezzled 
much  of  the  public  money,  more  especially  when  it  is  seen  that  its  president  was 

rLfnf  r^  '"?  rToT}  ^r^"''  ""^  '''^  ''^^^"It^^-  Mr.  Blair  told  us^  hrough  h  s 
Gohe  ot  August  14,  1839,  that  the  "  independence  of  the  judiciary  "  is  "  an  inde- 

W^  p'rn    r""™""  ''"'"  ""^  ''"'""^°"  J"«t'^^  "-=^"^  ^-hen  such  men  as  him  Turn 
PNi      nokP.w'n.\V'/'"°.'  *™''"  ^''^^'"  considering  of  new  safeguards?     Mr 
onee  filled  bXlp^V^  t  '  ^'''T''  ''^'^  ^^^  P'^^*^^  ^  P"!"'^^^!  ^"ol  «"  the  seat 
from  RUIN  ^      ^       ""^     '"'  '"  ^''°  '"P"'""''  ^°"t,  to  preserve  him,  as  he  said, 

tl,  Jmn  '^'^I^P'f  ""^  *1"^  ''°'""'5  "l^^P'y  '^^'■^t^  that  there  are  in  this  lovely  country 
•  'e  fr;:m  i  ,  Z  r"'/'  ^  '^''^  "^.  A"'"^"  <""'y-  C^e  derives  no  pecuniary  advan^ 
libilitv  tHnv^iS  ""'."^r V^?"''^  ^'  the  last  man  in  America  to  shun  the\espo„- 
eve  ie^  n  m£iMo"?f  '''-^  Ignorance,  prejudice  and  extreme  destitution,  have 
aiXaninP  rplpnV/.  preservation  ot  freedom  and  peace.  Ages  of  bloodshed 
f.  r  eSmolV  .?nlpl  ""i'  i'"""^  '"  ^Iie.  history  of  the  past,  will  prove  unavailing 
cleds^^LTas'thP  fivl°'J^'''"'°  ^«T'^""y'''""  ^'^  thoroughly  educated,  sinceritf 
V  h?Ps  tnwnl  n  .  '''"■'■""'  ''"^  that  violence  of  party  spirit  which  divides  our 
unilfthlZ'      ""f"""  ^"''  "n""'^'  '"'°  two  oppoMug  armies,  as  it  weie,  ranged 

otheTani)arr,r'f  "/  ^^'T'"  ''"'^!'  "^''^^  ^^  ^''''''^  orators,' electioneer^rs,  and 
other  apparatus  of  dissimulation  and  sordid  selfishness,  annihilated.     Much  can  be 


12 


SYBNEY — BURDETT — MILITARY   RULE — THE  CONVENTION. 


achieved,  if  the  people  will  value  nrifi-ht  ihe  ineslimahle  advantage  they  enjoy,  in  the 
freedom  with  wliicli  a  state  convention  may  be  elected  and  held  in  the  inidst  of  peace 
and  tranquility  at  home  and  abroad. 

Un|)ublisbc'(l  writings,  in  evil  times,  have  sent  good  men  to  the  scaffold — but  the 
precedents  of  wicked  judges  are  as  beacons  to  warn  their  more  faithful  successors. 
The  noi)le  Algernon  Sydney's  blood  w.is  shed  in  the  profligate  days  of  the  second 
Charles,  after  u  luockery  of  atrial  before  Judge  Jeffries.  Conspiracy  tbere  was  none. 
On  the  searcb,  at  niidnigbt,  in  the  martyr's  closet,  an  unpublished  manuscript  was 
found— a  leaf  or  two  of  its  contents  read  in  court — and  the  noble  author  condemned. 
Posterity  has  done  all  the  parties  justice. 

England  is  a  great  and  powerfid  country — yet  it  is  but  little  more  than  25  years 
since  Sir  Francis  Burdctt  was  tried,  condemned,  and  immured  in  a  prison  ;  though 
a  member  of  parliament,  a  man  of  ancient  family,  and  possessed  of  an  annual  in- 
come of  $250,000  a  year — because  lie  had  dared  to  call  cruelty  and  oppression  by 
their  right  names,  in  the  land  of  Hampden  and  Sydney. 

"  It  seems,"  said  Sir  Francis,  alluding  to  the"  massacre  in  1819  at  Manchester, 
that  "  our  fathers  were  not  such  fools  as  some  would  make  us  believe,  in  o[)posing 
the  cscablisliincnt  of  a  standing  army,  and  sending  King  William's  Guards  out  of 
tlie  country.  Yet  would  to  heaven  they  had  been  Dutclimen,  or  Switzers,  or 
Hessians,  or  Hanoverians,  or  any  thing  rather  than  Englishmen,  who  have  done 
such  deeds  I — What  I  kill  men  unarmed  !  unresisting  !  and,  gracious  God  !  women 
too,  disfigured,  maimed,  cut  down  and  trampled  upon  by  dragoons.  Is  this  J'',ng- 
land  1  This  a  Christian  land  !  A  land  of  freedom  !  Will  the  genthmien  of  Eng- 
land support,  or  wink,  at  such  proceedings?  they  have  a  great  stake  in  the'ir 
country.  They  hold  great  estates,  and  they  are  bound  in  duty,  and  in  honor,  to 
con.siderthem  as  retaining  fees  on  the  part  of  their  country,  for  upholding  its  rights 
and  liberties." 

With  such  men  as  this  volume  drp.gs  to  the  light  of  day,  high  in  office,  controlling 
the  administration  of  the  laws,  t'le  executive,  and  in  a  great  degree  commerce,  and 
all  upon  purely  selfish,  mercenary  principles,  America  would  gradually  slide  down 
from  her  elevated  situation  among  the  nations.  Revenge  would  fUl'some  men's 
minds,  despair  would  take  possession  of  others.  Some  would  take  the  course 
ascribed  by  Morris  to  Robinson  with  his  creditor  Suydam  the  banker— others  would 
war  on  property,  by  increasing  the  number  of  those  terrible  fires  which  have  deso- 
lated of  late  not  a  few  of  the  fairest  cities  of  America — the  evil  example  of  men 
above  would  demoralize  thousands  below  them,  and  that  confidence  in.  and  depend- 
ence of  man  on  man,  which  is  the  cement  that  binds  society,  would  cease.  A 
numerous  standing  army  would  come  next — less  to  war  on  our  weak  frontier  neigh- 
bors, than  as  a  police  to  repeal  at  convenient  seasons  the  scenes  enacted  at  Man- 
chester in  181!).  It  is  from  such  a  stale  of  things  that  the  people  seek  deliverance. 
Tlie  Democratic  Review  (falsely  so  called,)  told  us,  in  April  1843,  that  the  "virtue 
and  intelligence  of  the  people  is  all  a  humbug,"  and  that  "  we  must  procure 
stronger  guarantees  than  popular  suffrage,  and  popular  virtue  and  intelligence." 
In  other  words,  we  were  informed  that  we  must  shift  round  to  monarchy,  or  get  a 
House  of  Peers,  self-government  being  an  idle  tale. 

I  very  much  fear,  that  if  the  men  whom  this  volume  too  truly  describes,  can  get 
the  ujiper  hand  in  the  state  convention,  their  united  endeavor  will  be  to  get  us  AS 
LITIGIOUS  A  CONSTITIJTIOx^f  AS  POSSIBLE,  as  that  would  best  ensure  a 
continuance  of  those  hurtful  monoptdies  and  lucrative  jobs  which  follow  in  the  train 
of  all  such  great  convulsions  and  revolutions  in  currency,  commerce,  property,  &c., 
as  have  of  late  years  marred  the  prosperity  of  our  country. 

If  in  the  minority,  I  think  their  etlbrts  will  be  directed  towards  embarrassing  the 
capable  and  well  disposed — and  should  my  publication  be  found  to  have  the  effect 
of  preventing  the  return  of  some  of  the  worst  of  them,  and  arousing  inquiry  into  their 
conduct,  my  exertions  will  be  amplv  repaid. 

That  a  patriot  band— such  as  assembled  in  Independence  Hall,  Philadelphia, 
seventy  years  ago — may  gladden  the  hearts  of  our  true  hearted  citizens,  when  our 
state  convention  meets  ;  and  that  the  wisdom  of  their  deliberations  may  afford  un- 
questionable evidence  of  the  onward  progress  of  intellectual  and  moral  truth  in  our 
laud,  and  of  the  capacity  of  man  for  self-government,  and  the  sustenance  of  free 
institutions,  is  the  fervent  prayer  of  the  compiler. 
New  York,  Sept>  1,  1845. 


Mr.  Butler's  i 
Mr.  Van  Bi 
/aw  with  the 
a  Bank. 

Benjamin  F 
N.  Y.,  on  th( 
received  by  hii 
law  office  at  L 
reside  till  his 
Lieut.  Allen,  ( 
His  father,  : 
served  an  appr 
at  "  the  Land 
years. 

When  the  i 
French  court, 
"  D'aucune,  JVl 
true  nobility  of 
Review,  the  p 
tector — to  one 
Butler,  who  lai 
doubtful  pcdig 
inscribed  "  Ad 
of  Levi  exhibit( 
under  his  am 
Levis."  Thus 
Mr.  Butler  w 
and  immediate 
his  law  busines 
the  Democratic 
Van  Buren  to  t 
In  June,  1811 
security  of  22  a 
mortgage  and  1 
State  another  i 
The  share  of  1; 
early  in  1819 
Cashier,  and  (J 
W^arren,  at  Sar 
and  Attorney  i 
same  place. 

Jesse  Hoyt,  1 
in  life  began  b 
could  not  arrai 

Seculiar  sort  of 
lurcn  as  his  sti 
license  to  practi 
When  Mr.  ai 
the  Attorney  G 
and  Mechanics' 
both,  make  kno 
financial  profes: 
and  cannot  fail  i 


BUTLER  S  ANCESTRY — JESSE  HOYT, 


13 


•  ')■-■ 


CHAPTER  II. 

Mr  Butler's  birth  and  parentage— Ms  admission  to  the  Bar,  and  partnership  with 
Mr.  ^(jnBurm.  Mr  HoyVs  early  pursuits— he  abandons  commerce,  and  studies 
a  Bank  "''^  ^^""■'''  "^'  ^'"^  ^''"'''-     ^^''-  ^'"^''''  "'''^/''^  ^''^  presidency  of 

Benjamin  Franklin  Butler  was  born  at  Kinderhook  Landing,  Columbia  County 
^.  \.,  on  the  14tli  ot  December,  1T(J5.  He  was  educated  there,  and  in  1811 
received  by  Ins  iather  s  personal  and  political  friend,  Martin  Van  Buren,  into  his 
law  office  at  Hudsoii^  as  a  student,  and  into  his  family,  in  which  i,e  continued  to 
reside  til  his  (Mr.  Butler  s^l  marriage,  in  1818,  to  Miss  Harriet  Allen,  a  sister  of 
Lieut.  Allen,  of  the  U.  S.  ]\avy. 

His  latlier,  Medad  Butler,  who  is  still  alive,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  where  he 
served  an  apprenticeship  to  a  scythe-maker.  He  aiterwards  kept  store  and  tavern 
at  the  Landing,  in  which  business  his  sou  Benjamin  assisted  him  in  his  earlier 
years. 

When  the  uncle  of  Horace  Walpolc,  Earl  of  Orford,  was  Ambassador  at  the 
irrench  court  the  Queen  asked  his  lady  what  family  she  was  of.  Her  reply  was 
•  D  aucune,  Madame."  She  was  a  French  stay-maker's  daughter.  It  requires 
true  nobihty  of  soul  to  be  of  the  aucune  family.  In  a  memoir  in  the  Democratic 
Review,  the  pedigree  of  the  Butlers  is  traced  to  Oliver  Cromwell,  the  lord  pro- 
tector-to  one  of  the  judges  whose  iiat  beheaded  King  Charles— and  to  Jonathan 
Butler,  who  landed  in  Connecticut  in  1710.  Stanhope,  Lord  Chesterfield,  ridiculed 
doubtful  pedigrees  by  placing  two  old  heads  among  the  portraits  of  his  ancestors, 
inscribed  ^  Adam  rfc  Stanhope"  and  "  Ere  de  Stanhope."  A  family  of  the  name 
of  Levi  exhibited  a  picture  in  which  Noah  appears  walking  into  the  Ark,  carrying 
under  his  arm  a  small  trunk,  on  which  is  written  "  Papiers  de  la  maison  de 
Levis.         ihus  much  for  genealogy. 

Mr.  Butler  was  admitted  to  the  bar  as  an  attorney  in  the  State  courts  in  1817 
and  immediately  entered  into  partnership  with  his  "instructor,  Mr.  Van  Buren,  in 
his  law  business.     The  latter  was  at  that  time  a  Senator  of  New  York,  and  (says 
the  Democratic  Re^view)  "  the  connection  subsisted  till  the  appointment  of  Mr. 
Van  Buren  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  in  December,  1621  " 

In  June,  1818,  Mr.  Butler  borrowed  $550  from  the  State  of  New  York  on  the 
security  of  22  acres  of  land  at  Kinderhook  Landing,  and  gave  his  father-s  bond  and 
mortgage  and  his  own  bond  as  a  security.  In  1810  his  father  had  borrowed  of  the 
btate  another  $  1000,  which,  with  the  interest,  remained  unpaid  as  late  as  1824 
Ihe  share  of  law  profits  which  he  realized  in  1818  fell  short  of  his  wishes,  and 
early  in  1819  he  united  the  professions  of  lawyer  and  banker— as  President, 
Cashier,  and  (I  may  add)  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Bank  of  Washington  and 
Warren,  at  bandy  Hill,  a  village  on  the  Hudson,  about  55  miles  north  of  Albany 
and  Attorney  at  Law,  Solicitor  in  Chancery,  and  Attorney  for  the  said  Bank,  at 
same  place.  ' 

■  -".esse  Hoyt,  the  friend  of  Benjamin  Butler,  is  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  early 
in  lite  began  business  on  his  o^vn  account  as  a  store-keeper  in  Albany— failed— 
could  not  arrange  his  affairs  so  as  to  recommence— discovered  that  he  had  the 
peculiar  sort  of  talent  for  a  successful  lawyer— indentured  himself  ^vith  Mr  Van 
Buren  as  his  student— and  in  due  time  took  the  benefit  of  the  insolvent  laws,  and  a 
hcense  to  practise  in  the  State  courts. 

When  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butler  removed  to  Sandy  Hill,  Mr.  Hoyt  was  a  student  in 
the  Attorney  General "s  office  and  had  previously  served  as  a  clerk  in  the  Farmers 
and  Mechanics  Bank.  Mr.  B.'s  letters  to  his  friend  will  show  the  prospects  of 
both,  make  known  the  fervent  piety  of  the  former,  the  condition  of  the  legal  and 
financial  professions  in  Washington  county,  exhibit  new  views  of  State  politics 
and  cannot  fail  to  be  read  with  interest. 


14 


butler's  love  for  the  gospel. 


and  W.,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Student  at  Law, 


CHAPTER  III. 

Interesting  Correspondence.  Mr.  Butler's  piety,  politico,  and  kind  feelings  toivard 
Mr.  Huyt.  A  proposal  to  huy  the  Buffalo  Bank— Mr.  HoyVs  fitness  for  the  office 
of  a  Cashier— Ins  general  character.  A  run  on  the  Washington  and  Warren 
Bank — Ways  and  Means — Bu/ler  vs.  Olcott. 

President  Butler,  of  the  Bank  of  W. 

Albany. 

^  Sandy  Hill,  March  27th,  1819. 

Dear  I'riend, 

*****  You  have  really  a  fine  state  of  political  confusion  at 
Albany.  I  thuik  the  situaiiun  of  the  Governor  [De  Witt  Clinton]  is  daily  becoming 
more  desperate. . 

I  am  more  and  more  pleased  with  my  duties.  They  require  industry  and  atten- 
tion, but  they  pive  me  more  leisure  than  I  had  while  in  Albany,  and  furnish  me 
more  easily  with  sufficient  to  provide  for  my  household. 

The  only  difficulty  lure  is  THE  WANT"  OF  the  stated  PREACHING  OF  THE 
GOSPEL.  Had  we  a  faithful  and  respectable  tninister,  and  were  the  people  more 
anxious  for  and  rttentive  to  religion,  I  should  have  nothing  to  ask  for,  but  the  continu- 
ance of  health  to  take  this  place  delightful.  The  contrast  between  Albany  and  Sandy 
Hill  in  this  parli  lar  is  great.  You  do  not  at  all  estimate  as  you  ought,  the  pecu- 
liar privileges  you  enjoy.  They  are  remarkably  great  *  *  *  *  The  Gospel 
is  either  a  "  savour  of  life  unto  life,"  or  of"  death  unto  death."  And  how  can  those 
"  escape  who  neglect  so  great  salvation  V 

What  a  bungling  piece  of  work  Mr.  Loomis  lias  made  in  printing  my  speech.  It 
has  mortified  me  excessively  to  see  so  many  stupid  blunders  issued  to  the  world  ivith 
my  name  prefixed.  Pray  tell  my  friends  that  I  lay  no  claims  to  the  bantling  in  its 
present  dress. 

Yours  truly, 

BENJAMIN  F.  BUTLER. 


which  I  think  ; 

great  deal  in  d( 

order — not  of 

send  by  some  j: 
Upon  luhat  g 

he  has  done  it. 
What  think 

Or  have  you  nc 

your  neck? 

How  does  th 
inent  suits?  A) 
wished  after  n 
and  engage  aga 
accustomed  to  tt 
public,  private  t 
but  myself.  M 
and  I  can  attenc 
ejectments  of  t 
here,  if  I  was  d 


Jesse  Hoyt,  Est 
Dear  Sir, 
I  send  b; 
as  usual.  I  he; 
liave  said),  mad 
tary  being  othe: 
esiing  epistle,  in 


The  same  to  the  same. 

Sandy  Hill,  March  17,  1.819. 
Dear  Friend, 

The  stage  to  day  was  looked  for  with  great  anxiety  by  all  the  members 
of  my  household,  as  we  entertained  strong  hopes  the  black  damsel  would  make 
her  appearance  on  the  "  Hill,"— as  the  citizens  denominate  this  great  metropolis. 
»#»*#!  have  been  here  a  fortnight,  and  have  not  yet  received  a  line 
frora  you.     Pray  write  me,  if  it  is  only  to  say  that  you  are  in  esse. 

Yours  truly, 

BENJAMIN  F.  BUTLER. 

The  P.  S.  (in  a  different  hand,)  is  as  follows :— "  Mr.  Hoyt  do  try  to  get  Pender, 
im  tired  to  death  of  cookins.'^ 


I  am 


The  same  to  the  same. 

^        ,,  Sandy  Hill,  May  4,  1819, 

Dear  i  riend, 

#  #  #  #  #  Ti^g  election  returns  are,  so  far,  unfavorable  to  th  '  .it^es 
of  Mr.  Clinton,  and  his  friends,  and  /  presume  his  destiny  is  fixed.  *  *  *•  ^  *  * 
I  voted  for  Senators,  and  offered  to  vote  for  members  of  Assembly,  but  after  a 
long  discussion  oi'  my  and  various  arguments  and  o^jinions  from"  lawyers  and 
eleciioneerers,  the  board  very  gravely  decided  that  I  was  not  vet  naturaliz&l—m 


Mr.  Preside 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  yo 

endeavor  as  soor 

do  regret  that  I  ( 

the  Court  of  Cha 

*    *    I  have  not 

had  a  great  deal 

much,  and  as  sc 

Hitchcock.     I  he 

I  would  send  by 

goes  on  a  raft  1 

knocked  overboai 

/  am  unable  to 

if  Mr.  B.,  [mean 

concern — but  has 

But  then  he's  A 

pose  a  claim  for  i 

to  accept  such  a  j 

in  to  take  charg 

dcubie — toil  and 

and  Financial  w( 

The  Attorney  Ct 


LAW — HOYT  AND  THE  BUFFALO  BANK. 


15 


which  I  think  It  probable  they  were  right.  The  Chancellor  has  re^Wy  assumed  a 
great  deal  in  deciding  my  cause  against  me.  Please  obtain  a  copy  of  fhe  decretal 
order-not  of  his  opinion,  for  I  suppose  that  would  take  you  a  week  to  copy  "and 
send  by  some  person  at  your  convenience.  ^^ 

Upon  what  ground  did  he  admit  you-as  of  right,  or  ex  gratia?    I  am  glad  that 
he  has  done  it,  and  hope  you  may  find  it  the  harbinger  of  good  fortune. 

What  think  you  of  the  New  Insolvent  Law  1   Do  you  intend  to  proceed  under  it' 
yournrck?"  "      P^''«^^°P^y  ^"""g*'  ^o  li^^  PO°r  all  your  life,  wilh  a  millstone  on 

How  does  the  business  get  along,  and  what  is  the  state,  generally,  of  vour  eiect- 
meat  suits?  Are  any  of  them  to  be  tried  at  these  Circuifs  or  no^t?  I  someSmea 
wished  after  my  removal,  that  I  could  take  a  peep  for  a  moment  in  the  kS  ters 
and  engage  again  in  the  service  of  the  Sovereign  People-«,u/  ,-.  long  hadlbem 
accustomed  to  the  management  of  the  Attorney  General  [M.  Van  Buren]  ^s  offar^ 
pubhe,  prwate  and  domestic,  th^t  I  ofion  thought  that  no\,ne  could  attend  to  them 
nyrZ  u  L'^'ll  ''^°<^<'.t'r'^  however,  have  now  become  familiar  and  pleasant, 
and  I  can  attend  to  them  without  troubling  myself  about  the  bonds,  mortgages  or 
ejectments  of  the  State.  *  *  *  «  *  Thprp  ici  l,„t  litti»  i....,  i,  "  ^  i  • 
hprp   ifT  ,.,Tc  ^„-„„„^„„/ „    .1    .   T    1      ,,,     ^ "6'^'^  's  Out  little  law  business  doing 


!,„.„    ;4'T  J  I  .         -,    ,  ijicio  lo  uui  jiiue  law  ous: 

here,  if  I  was  dependant  on  that,  I  should  have  had  the  horrors  long  aa„. 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


The  same  to  the  same. 

Washington  and  Warren  Bank,  > 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Albany,  ^^''^  ^^''''  ^^"^  ''^'  ^«^»-      $ 

Dear  Sir, 

I  send  by  Mr.  Skinner  a  package  and  letter  for  Mr.  Barker,  which  send 
as  usual  I  hear  that  he  has  had  a  demonstration  (as  Packenham,  &  Co  would 
have  said),  made  upon  him  this  week,  which  was  manfully  repelled  My  S- 
tary  being  otherwise  engaged,  deprives  you  of  the  plcasurl oi  receiving  us  iSer- 
esling  epistle,  in  her  "  own  proper  hand  writing. "  ^ 

Yours  truly, 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


■'ires 


Mr.  President  Butler  to  Mr.  Jesse  Iloyt,  Solicitor  in  Chancery,  Albany, 
Dear  Sir,  ^^''"^  ^^'^^'  *'""«  ^^h'  1819. 

I  have  yours  of  the  31st  ult.,  1st  inst.,  and  also  one  by  Mr.  Gifford  I  shall 
endeavor  as  soon  as  possible  to  send  you  some  papers  in  these  Ciiai^en^  causes  I 
do  regret  that  I  did  not  know  that  Mr.  V.  B.  4s  about  attendi.  g  'e  J^une  term  of 
the  Court  of  Chancery.  I  might  have  had  all  my  business  in  tram  for  it  *  S"  » 
*  1  have  not  been  in  court  but  little,  either  Common  Pleas,  or  Circuit— bavins 
had  a  great  deal  to  do  in  the  Bank,  and  in  my  Law  Business.  I  wan  a  clerk  vTr? 
much,  and  as  soon  as  Charles'  *****  T  h„„P  vm,  m.;  T„  i  .^ 
Hitchcock.  I  have  now  $3000  in  currc.u  notes,  rec^^^^re^H^LS^f  ^hi  J 
1  would  send  by  Col.  Pitcher,  who  conveys  this,  but  he  starts  from  Eel^^n  L     and 

KScked"  oveta^r  /"^i  ^1"'^  ^f  '^^^'^  ^  '^°--  -"  ^girbrrre'd^'^r 

,rMrr"fl^"'''^?^f'!f  r"',^^°F  raE  mAGARABANK-<,«/v//,„^ 
{^-buUias'"^?  m V  n  ^"'^''^-  '"'"'^  ^'  ''''^  '^  ^'J''^  '''  ''''^d  make  it  a  projiabt 
Km,.!      u  ^  ^''V/^  .'?r7,''P""°"'  "'""s  enough  in  the  fire,  already,  for  one  man 
IJu   then  he's  A  HOST  himself.    Jfhe  gets  the  stock,  you  must  staid  ready  to  ^S 
pose  a  claim  for  the  management   of  the  busmess-V.  J  is-if  y,,,.  w(.uld  be  w  ninir 

Joublp-^^on  td'TronH-  "  .       "     ^  ^'T  r  "^'^  '^'''  ^"^  ^^'"  S^t 't-     "  Double, 
jcaoie     To.l  and  trouble      appears  to  be  the  order  of  the  day  in  the  Commercial 

and  Pinancial  world-where  it  will  land  us  I  am  unable  to  say.     *     V^TT'^i 

iae  Attorney  C.neral  [Mr.  Van  Buren],  is  never  at  home-and  when  he  is,  I  am 


1  i, 


16 


BUTLER  WOULD  MAKE  HOYT  A  BANKER. 


BO  far  from  him,  that  I  cannot  have  that  direct  and  constant  communication  which 
the  interests  ot  our  chmls  demand.  One  thing  I  most  earnestly  desire  of  you,  and 
that  IS  to  forward  me  all  notices,  papers,  &c.,  that  may  he  screed  an  Mr.  V.  D. 
[\an  JJuren]  as  my  agent,  lie  would  never  think  of  it  himself,  and  my  clients 
iniL'ht  be  kicked  out  of  court  before  I  knew  it.  I  shall  make  no  more  fomplamta 
about  your  bad  writins,  though  your  scrawls  arc  most  infamous,  after  the  capers  I 
have  cut  in  this  epistle. 

Yours  truly, 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


[Sent  per  Mr.  Thurman,  from  Sandy  Hill,] 

T         -LT         T-         A„  June  11,  1819. 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Albany, 

Dear  Sir, 

MT  A  o  i  o  r''^.>^A*'^nJ^'^  ^  ''^"^''  ^^""^  ^^^-  ^"I^er,  inentioninn;  the  subject  of  the 
oluijiL-o  ^''^^^-  ^"'^  requesting  my  opinion  of  a  certain  friend  of  mine,  for 
LAblilhH,  provided  he  should  conclude  to  purchase  the  stock -io  which  1  have 
replied  as  follows  :  — 

"  I  am  happy  to  hear,  by  your  letter,  that  in  the  event  of  your  enjraginT  in  the 
Niagara  Bank,  you  have  thought  of  MY  FRIEND  HOYT,  for  Cashier.  I  know 
oj  no  person  within  the  circle  of  my  aa/vnintance  irhom  I  could  recommend  with  ecnial 
confidence  for  that  situation.  HIS  INTEGRITY,  ZEAL,  AND  INDUSTRY 
wou/ti  I  am  confident,  ensure  him  your  a()probation,  and  esteem.  There  can  be  no 
doubt  of  his  being  amply  qualified  for  the  task.  His  acquaintance  whh  business  is 
general,  and  extensive,  and  for  perseverance  and  activity  I  know  of  no  one  who 
surpasses  him.  His  experience  in  Mercantile  business,  would  alone  have  qualified 
him  for  tiie  place,  but  in  addition  to  that  he  has  the  advantage  of  some  considerable 
acquaintance  xmth  the  business  of  hauling,  from  his  cmploymuit  last  year  in  the  Me- 
chanics and  Farm/;rs'  Bank.  I  have  known  him  for  several  years ;  intimately,  for 
about  three.  After  the  unfortunate  termination  nf  his  Mercantile  concerns,  instead  of 
spending  his  time  in  idleness,  or  gicing  way  to  despair  or  dissipation,  irhich  is  com- 
monly the  case  VI  SUCH  CIRCUMSTANiJES,  he  resolved  forthwith  to  enter  into 
employment  of  some  kind  or  other;  and,  as  nothing  offered  by  which  be  could  do 
better,  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  law.  All  his  friends,  (and  I  amonc^st  the 
rest,)  thought  this  a  very  Jorlorn  hope,  for  sucli  had  been  his  previous  active  life, 
and  so  long  was  his  term  oJ  study,  that  I  considered  it  absolutely  impossible  for  him 
to  confine  himself  to  so  irksome  an  employment  as  a  clerkship  in  a  law  office,  with- 
out any  prospect  of  a  speedy  admission  either  to  the  practice  or  the  profits  of  the 
profession.  He  was  for  nearly  three  years  in  my  office,  and  for  fidelity  and  atten- 
tion, perseverance  and  application,  the  very  best  clerk  lever  met  with.  I  consider 
him  perjectly  competent  to  eiamine  (A)  into  the  affairs  of  the  Bank  at  Buffalo,  and 
give  you  an  accurate  and  judicious  account  of  every  thing  that  relates  to  it.  It  is 
needless  for  me  to  say  that  I  feel  a  deep  interest  in  his  prosperity,  and  that  nothin<r 
would  give  me  greater  pleasure  than  to  see  him  placed  in  such  a  situation  as  would 
give  him  a  competent  support ;  but  perhaps  it  may  be  necessary  to  satisfy  you  that 
my  opinion  ot  his  merits  is  not  over-rated.  I  acknowledge  that  I  am  his  friend,  and 
1  know  that  friends,  like  lovers,  are  a  little  blind  to  the  faults  of  those  they  esteem, 
but  1  believe  I  may  safely  refer  you  to  any  person  acquainted  with  Mr.  Hoyt,  for  a 
confirmation  of  what  I  have  said." 

(A)  This  IS  in  reply  to  a  suggestion  about  sending  you  up  to  investigate  the 
business,  preparatory  to  a  decision  on  the  subject.    (14.)    I  have  sen    ..  '•  bnef  in 

cause  to  New  York  last  week  by  mail. 

Yours  truly, 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 

June  14.  I  send  you  by  J.  L.  Thurman,  Esq.,  a  package  for  Mr.  Barker,  con- 
taming,  in  current  notes,  $5,-i00.  I  have  received  yours  by  Mr.  Clark,  whli 
$  1,300  in  W .  and  W.  notes.  B.  F.  B. 


Dear  Sir, 

My  lettei 
with  a  squadr 
$  900  in  Troy 
vert  into  specii 
what  I  have,  t 
for  so  long  a  ' 
to  meet  a  dem 
CHANGE ; j 
it  will  answer 
answer.     •     * 


Dear  Sir, 

By  th 

Wednesday's 
reported  any  tl 
Allen,  to  pay  i 
specie,  which  1 
If  you  think 
&c., please  so 


Jacob  Barker, 

$780,  during 
$  300  in  small 
this  force  I  c: 
that  time  I    h 
Hoyt.     *     * 

I  enclose  yoi 
policy  of  that ; 
sions  or  engag 
might  at  any  ti 
*  *  I  have  tl 
$75— the  othe 
with  a  request 
Bank  was  romp 
these,  because  th 
sion  of  some  pe 
decline  any  fur 
SHALL  PUT 

As  the  calls 
you  will  undoul 
possible. 


P.  S.— Since 
3 


THE  debtor's  guide — SEEMING  TO  PAY. 
The  same  to  the  same. 


17 


Washington  and   Warren  Bank,  ) 

Dear  Sir,  Sandy  Hat,  June  21,  1819.    \ 

My  letter  of  yesterday  informed  you  that  I  was  engaged  in  a  running  fieht 
Zl^-^^^^^r  ^"""  ^^ommodore  Wiswall's  fleet.  I  .send  you  by  Mr.  B.  Winff, 
$  900  in  I  roy ,  Lansingburgh,  and  Albany  bills,  which  I  wish  you,  if  possible,  to  con- 
vert into  specie.  I  do  not  know  that  I  shall  need  it,  but  it  will  be  sufficient  with 
what  1  have,  to  teaze  the  enemy  for  the  whole  week,  if  he  should  maintain  his  ground 
for  so  long  a  time.     •     *     #     •     #     I  do  not  wish  it  tepcrf  that  I  am  in  want  of  it 

rp"!fMn^'''"^"?r  ^t^  ^^"''-  ^ '"'•'''  y""  '"  '"y^"  '^«  ^'^'^^  thatyou  want  SMALL 
cnAi>tr£. ;  and  lor  that  you  will  give  them  current  bills.  If  you  can  obtain  $600 
It  will  answer  the  purpose,  and  if  small  money  is  not  to  be  had  any  thinff  else  will 
answer.     **•*#  •'  jb*" 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


President  Butler  to  Mr.  Hoyt. 

-r,        c  Sandy  Hill,  June  21st,  1819. 

Dear  Jsir, 

w  J      ?^  }^t  enclosed  (which  please  read,  and  after  that  wafer  and   send  by 
Wednesday  s  boat, )  you  will  learn  the  situation  of  affairs  here.     If  Commodore  W 
reported  any  thing  disadvantageous,  please  correct  it.     I  did  not  oflfer,  as  before  to 
Allen,  to  pay  him  one  bill  at  a  tune  ;  but  on  Saturday,  offered  him  a  large  amount  of 
specie,  which  he  declined  waiting  for  me  to  count. 

If  you  think  that  you  can  get  the  specie  for  my  notes,  which  will  be  chiefly  Troy, 
&c.,  please  so  inform  Mr.  Barker.    Mr.  Bacon  is  the  person  who  brought  the  $  706. 

Yours  truly, 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


•  r 


i'  f 


(Wednesday  morning.) 


Washington  and  Warren  Bank, 

Sandy  Hill,  June  23,  1819. 
Jacob  Barker,  Esq.,  New  York. 
^^o„    ,    .        ,  Dear  Sir,     *    #     #     #    #     j   have  redeemed  in  the  whole 

f/80,  during  the  two  days  past— all  in  large  bills.  I  have  now  on  hand,  about 
$300  in  small  change,  $900  in  dollars  and  five  francs,  and  $200  in  gold.  With 
this  force  I  can  with  certainty  sustain  myself  until  Saturday  morning,  and  by 
that  time  I^  have^no^doubt  I   shall  have  a  further  supply  of  specie   from  Mr. 

I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  Mr.  Olcott's  letter.  This  is  a  new  proof  of  the  wavering 
policy  of  that  Bank,  and  of  the  little  reliance  to  be  placed  on  Mr.  Olcott's  profes- 
sions or  engagements,  for  he  offered  of  his  own  accord  to  me  last  spring,  that  I 
might  at  any  time  draw  on  you  at  a  few  days  sight,  if  I  chose  so  to  do.  *  *  * 
1  ~*  ^  ^^^^  *'''^  morning  had  two  small  sums  of  our  notes  presented—the  one  for 
$75— the  other  for  $91— both  from  Albany;  and  both  enclosed  to  Mr.  Baird, 
with  a  request  that  he  would  present  them  immediately,  a.nAthat  the  credit  of  the 
Bank  was  completely  down,  which  um.  the  cause  of  their  sending  them  up.  I  shall  pay 
these,  because  the  money  ivill  go  down  by  the  mail  to-day  and  may  quiet  the  apprehen- 
sion of  some  persons  who  icould  othermse  send  up;  but  I  shall  request  Mr.  B  to 
decline  any  further  commission  of  the  hind;  and  if  anymore  such  calls  appear,  1 
SHALL  PUT  THEM  ON  THE  SAME  GROUND  WITH  THE  OTHERS. 

As  the  calls  this  week  have  assumed  the  character  of  a  run  on  the  Bank, 
you  will  undoubtedly  see  the  necessity  of  giving  me  a  supply  of  specie  as  soon  as 
possible. 

Yours  truly, 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 
P.  S.— Since  writing  the  above,  Wiswall  has  shown  me  his  money  ;  he  has  now 


18 


AN  ANTI-RENT  BANKER  AND  A  VOUNO  PATROON. 


$  4800.  Gilchrist  has  demanded  his  bills.  /  told  him  I  was  rmthi  to  fay  in  specie 
but  rommencea  paying  Wiswall,  he  presenting  his  bills  first.  Gilchrist  has  resolved 
not  to  wait,  and  returns  in  the  stage. 

B.  F.  B. 

The  letter  fronri  Mr.  Olcott,  referred  to  above,  was  dated  "  Mechanics'  and 
i^armcrs  Bank,  June  21,  18li),"  and  informed  President  Butler,  that  they  had 
sent  for  redemption,  $5300  of  W.  and  W.  bills,  by  Mr.  Gilchrist,  to  whom  they 
expected  that  every  facility  would  be  given.  Mr.  Olcott  says—"  You  are  proba- 
bly aware  of  the  determination  of  the  Banks  in  this  city  to  take  no  drafts  from 
country  banks,  on  the  city  of  New  York.  #  #  #  *  #  Our  object  is  to  prevent 
country  banks  from  placing  funda  in  N.  Y.  to  speculate  on  their  own  depreciated 
paper.     1  hat  they  do  operate  in  this  way,  we  have  good  reason  to  suspect ;  other- 

plfv^rMm  n'^ ?}^''^J^'i^^  ^*  ^"^  ^'■''^^  '-^  distance  from  the  only  spot  where  they 
PKHLND  10  llEDEEM,  or  give  specie  value,  to  their  bills." 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Ways  and  Means  continued— How  to  grtaPvff  from  a  Young  Patroon—Mcanin<r 
of  Ions  and  Loads— The  President's  PyfT— Paying  in  Siaiences— Coffers  full- 
Holding  w^— "  Let  the  Public  luait  ''—Paying  in  Chancery  suits— Threatmmg  a 
JJebtor—lnhng  care  of  the  Bank—''  Fair  and  proper  calls  ''—Clinton  "  Raving 
Mad    —Paying  "  m  a  slow  way  "—Mr.  Butler's  humanity. 

[Favored  by  Caleb  Baker,  Esq.,] 

T         rr        -r.  ^  Sandy  Hill,  June  29th,  1819. 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Ill  State  street,  Albany. 

„  Dear  Hoyt, — The  enclosed  will  show  you  how  the  "  world 

i7??,^Wt^  2l®nn°j[  ^''"^^  pcrsons  that  I  told  to  wait  until  their  turns  came,  was  THE 
YOLNG  PATROON,  who  had  4  or  $500  taken  for  rents  due  his  father. 

if  you  know  him— as  I  believe  you  do— I  wish  you  would  FALL  IN  WITH 
HIM,  and  ask  his  opinion— f  hiow  it  loill  be  favorable,  although  I  did  not  pay  him, 
t'i^^fr./^^  Vi^^^'^  ^y  'counter,  and  read  the  papers,  AND  DRANK  WINE 
SlTiir.^^'/^^  "^^O  ^^  ™REE  HOtjRS  BEFORE  THE  BANK 
CLObED,  and  saw  every  man  who  had  come  from  a  distance,  or  ivas  poor  and 
needy,  paid  in  specie  without  a  moment's  delay. 

T  t?Tt  ''"Jnlr^l'l.T"  '^  friendly,  I  dare  say  it  will  pass  current,  AND  BE  A 
T  4  T'^Ij  ENDER  in  your  DUTCH  metropolis,  and  it  would  answer  for  CIRCU- 
hA  I  lOJN ,  &c.  Let  me  hear  how  every  thing  goes— and  what  is  said  and  done  at 
Albany.  Yours  truly, 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 

Seal  and  send  the  enclosed  after  reading  it.  If  the  loan  with  Baird  was  con- 
cluded, and  you  expect  the  specie  on  Thursday,  you  may  perhaps  ask  Caleb  Baker 

A°ivf!?yT.?.'',^*,;,r  C"°*'  '^'^  '^''^  '''^'■^  '^'^'  "0'  '^'^  -"^  LOAD  until  next  week.  HE 
AND  EVERY  BODY  ELSE  thinks  1  have  TONS  OF  IT  on  the  way. 


[Per  Mr.  L.  Clark.] 

T        XT        T^         .„  Sandy  Hill,  July  1,  1819. 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Albany. 

Dear  Sir, — The  enclosed  you  will  send  by  the  first  boat,  after 
reading  it,  &c. 

I  send  you  25  Times,  You  see  how  boldly  we  come  out.  I  have  deliberated 
long  before  I  ventured  it— but,  as  it's  a  part  of  my  "  budget  of  ways  and  means," 
have  at  length  concluded  to  run  the  hazard. 

If  the  specie  for  Schuyler's  note  could  be  obtained,  you  could  send  it  by  the 
bearer.  '  " 

Send  the  papers  on  Saturday.     Tell  me  what  you  think  of  my  bulletin. 

Yours  truly,  B.  F.  BUTLER 


President  1 
'•  budget  of  \ 


The  follow 
veiled  upon  ai 


WashingtO: 

Washington  ; 

timed  to  requi 

with  the  oper 

tiuspension  ot 

duced,  very  n 

Warren  Ban! 

slanderous  rt'{ 

The  consequ( 

with  demands 

Barker,  forese 

stand  the  firs 

the  public,  in 

all  be  paid  ivii 

pelled  to  susj 

however,  that 

bank,  by  resort: 

would  be  able 

the  bank.     Jt 

to  pay  all  its 

amount  to  mor 

secure — there  i; 

then  can  any  o 

It  is  true  th 

prom])t  accomi 

have  been  alfoi 

engaged  in  the 

must  always  be 

■men,  who  have  y 

It  must  also  be 

sufficient  excus 

deemed  inconsi 

that  the  course 

piisc,  not  of  ini 

TO  PAY,  and 

niinpose  the  "  / 

preference  to  gi 

hare  ''poisoned 

is  "  presented  tt 

contents. 


Dear  Hoyt, 

ment.  Your  " 
merchants  back 
them  up  here, 
worst  they  woi 
IN  THE  WOF 
from  Mr.  Olcoti 
<tbout  it. 


THE  BANKER  COMES  OUT  BOLDLY. 


I 


19 


^i 


President  Butler's  manifesto,  referred  to  in  the  preceding  letter   as  a  nart  of  hi. 
-  budget  of  ways  and  .neans,"  and  issued  after  mJ.  BarlJer^'s  vfsU;  was  aKuows  : 
[From  the  Saiu/y  IIill  Times,  July  2,  1819.] 

The  followin-r  communication  on  the  subject  of  the  Bank  in  this  place   mav  ba 
rohcd  up(m  as  comni^  from  an  ojiriaf  fionrrr.  ^        '     ^^  °® 

For  the  Times. 

W^h^nlT'"  Tir^"'''''u  ^r'':-^^^  excitement  in  relation  to  the  paper  of  the 
Wash  ngton  and  Warren  Bank,  bepinnin?  to  subside,  perhaps  it  may  Sot  be  ill! 

IZZ  '■'^"'f  '^'  "TT''  "'"  '^"^  »'"'^"«  t°  =^  f*^^  Fominent  poS,  connected 
uith  the  operations  and  character  of  that  institution,    'ihe  sudden  and  unexpected 
suspension  of  payment  at  the  Exchange  Bank,  together  with  othe?  cJJses    pro 
duced,  very  naturally    strong  suspicion's  of  the'  sofvency  of  tL  wLhiiS  and 
Warren  Bank,  which  were  greatly  increased  by  the  malicious  pJoplecies  and 
slanderous  reports  of  persons  who  regarded  its  success  with  jealou^sy  and  hatred 
The  consequence  was,  Mc  rapid  and  vexatious  return  of  its  notes,  accompanied 
with  demands  for  specie,  or  for  such  hank  paper  as  is  equivalent    hereto      Mr 
s^^nd't'h^f  T'";^  this  result   and  fearin-  'hat  the  bank  might  not  be  able  ?o  whh: 
stand  the  >.,<,/,orA    although  confident  of  ultimate  success,  very  fairly  assured 
1  bfp  !S\"Mt  S:r;  ''  ^'^'i:'  ^'^^^  '*"■  Washington  and  WarJ^en  not'es  wou  d 
nelled^to  suspend    S    T'  7''^"'''^  Promising  that  the  bank  would  not  be  com- 
pe  ed  to  suspend,  for  a  short  period,  the  payment  of  its  notes.     It  was  found 
hovvever,  tha   a  course  so  unpleasant  aud  distressing  was  unnecessary,  anS twTtkc 
tnuVT/'""^  '-'a  "'  ^'-T^  "^'■^''*"'  '"f"'-  "'''  '■'-'P^'-^'  brokers  and  oZr  banks 
tr  ank'      nl  '"^'rV^'  F^',)  ^"'^  '^'''  ^°°  ^^'^hout  pressing  those  that  owe 
ho  bank.     Jt  has  continued,  and  will  continue  its  redemptions,  and  is  abundantly  able 
to  pay  all  Us  debts,  to  the  ^UUtermost  farthiniry     The  debts  dl  to  the  bank 

ZTILTZ  n'T  '"""'^  ''r  "°^r"  "^^^'-^  andtllTbtsV^pe^A 
TJ,  T  ^J^T  """T^-'y  """^  ^'1=^^  ^^'H  ""t  ultimately  be  collected      Hov^ 

then  can  any  one  be  a  loser  by  the  Bank  ?  v.uucuitu.     now 

nrom,V.'ipnnl'!f  l'^*?  "'"^^  has  not  extended  to  speculators  «nrf  te^  „^enAs,  that 
pompt  accomnodation  which,  under  flourishing  circumstances,  would  probably 
h.ve  been  afforded ;  and  it  is  also  true  that  it  has  been  engaged,  and  ]J^tsnol 

SSwrvstr'^'l '^  rf  '^T^^  '"  P'^^^""^  °*"  thaf  de^criJtiS?^  biu  U 
Zf  i/         '••^"leml^ered    <A«<  the  Farmers,  Mechanics,  Travellers,  and  Trades- 

hn:^1  tTu  T'"'"^ '''  ^^'^  ¥'''  ^'"'  Vaid  in  the  most  prompt  and  liberal  mannl 

nZlf^.t        /"'  '"  '"'".'''  '''"'  *^^  P'"^^^"^*'  °f  the  times  would  of  itself  be  a 

oufrieient  excuse  for  many  things,  which,  at  a  more  propitious  moment   would  be 

iTtht  'Zr"''"'  "  1 '^  '^V'^''  '''  ''^■'-  =^"^1  honora'ble^business ;  and 'above  :.fl! 

Mt  the  course  pursued  in  this  particular  instance,  is  adopted  for  the  express    ur- 

''  )  PAV      "^1"""^' '^"t  of  indemnifying  the  puhlic.     THE  BANK  IS  ABLE 

n)  rA  Y    and  intends  to  pay  its  notes,  but  it  supposes  that  the  honest  neomanru   who 

£{  '  r,>lS  M^aT"^  r  '"'''  "''"-""'  '"""'"^  aristocraJes.  Those  too  who 
fate     poisoned  the  chaire,^    hare  no  reason  to  complain,  if  with  retributive  justice  it 

luS  ^^''      ""'■  '''"'  '^'  """J  "^'^  '"^P'"'^  '"  "^''^  «  PortCofUs 


President  Butler  to  Mr.  Hoyt. 

n^       IT  .  „  Sandy  Hill,  July  3d,  1819—11  A.  M 

ment       S.":7^     f'?"'  on  well.     Caleb  arrived  last  night  with  the  reinforce- 
ment       Your  "extract"  ivas  well  timed.     I  w  sh   you  would   keep  the  Albanv 

S'ufher'f  •     ^'Vf""'  ""''  '"T'^^'^^P  ''  ^^^  °-  '^•"^  toStfer    and   pos^ 
vnm  it        '  ^A^  ^^-  •l^y«„«r"^'  th^"  th^y  ^^'""Id  otherwise   come.     At\he 

In  raEVT)°^l^T.Vp^%^l^°^^t?:teei^^  'V""  BEST.  PLACE 

Jom  Mr.  01co«r^:  as'W^i^n^  "^^e^t^::^  L^^f!^,  '^S ^^^ 

""'"  "•  Yours  truly,  ^    •' 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


80  THE  BANKER  HOLDS  UP  ! — I,AW  TERKOKS. 

(Sent  per  Mr.  Hand. J 

D       ,        ,  „  Sandv  Hill,  July  7,  1810, 

Private  and  Secret. 

To  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Alhiiny. 

1  tr       .  "  Hoyt,— I  liavt-  paid  since  the  Run  commenced  $90fl(i 

M/'in"t'^^^Tr^X°"  '^""^  ^"^  '""''''  ^  *"^'^  ^'"^^"-  I  HAVE  A  GREAT  DEAL 
MUKl!.  JNUW,  anrf  am  m  ecery  respect  better  off.     The  reinforcement  from  Jacob 

nn^^  cf r"l^  T"\T"A«r''iT?f/;.  .V^i''^  &'^  ''^'/  ''''"'""V  ^^^^^•'  IT  ARRIVED, 
?^?  ^^"/o^^  ^9.^^?r9P  ^^-  The  public  have  been  paid  over  SfiOOO^thc 
Brokers  $3000.  OUGHT  NOT  THE  PUBLIC  TO  WaIt  A  WHILE?  We 
iiave  l^XiUW I'A)  full  enough  for  the  present,  therefore  had  better  vrtte  no  more  for 
the  papers.  I  sl,all  add  a  note  to  "  Equal  Rights,"  which  will  sail  the  Mechanics 
and  Farmers'  Bank  to  the  (/uick. 

Finished  last  Saturday  night  by  trying  tJ.e  replevin,  at  Glen's  FalKs— got  home 
10  clock,  bunday  mornmg.  Jury  equally  divided,  6  and  D—Sherilf  in  our  favor. 
^kmner  and  me  both  summed  up ;  suited  myself  and  everybody  else.  Noticed 
anewlor  luesday,  13— clear  case ;  shall  certainly  succeed— want  the  lease  from 
Van  Kensselaer  to  Caldwell,  as  they  gave  parol  evidence  of  it.    Send  it  up  in  time, 

Paid  Saturday,  the  3d, 901 

\\  °"  Monday, 379  ,/,„y  /,  ^/j,,  jj^^^.  ^.^  ^^^^ 

Tuesday, 817 

Yours  truly,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 


from  $  700  t^ 
EJ{  calls. 

I  yesterda 
obtained  the 
time  for  the 
o'clock — Jur; 
bank  hours,  i 
—up  till  2,  / 

CLINTO^ 
no  time  for  m 

Capt.  Cofli 
Ihe  account  < 
during  my  ag 

(Sent  by  Jil 

When  it  be 
of  the  broken 
ren  Bank,  M 
taken  out  licet 


,        „        T.  Sandy  Hjll,  July  10th,  1819. 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq., 

Dear  Sik,— My  present  business  is  chancery.  The  enclosed  bill  1 
drew  m  great  haste  last  night  and  this  morning.  I  want  it  presented  on  Monday, 
and  the  motion  made  and  urged  on  the  ground  of  the  great  injury  to  the  Bank  if 
those  notes  should  be  put  in  circulation.  Whether  Barker's  assignment  to  this 
Hank  IS  good  or  not,  we  are  entitled  to  the  injunction.  Whether  the  bills  are  his  or 
ours,  the  l-armers'  Bank  have  no  right  to  use  them  ;  and  if  they  do,  we  suffer  as 
wei  as  J.  ij.  [Jacob  Barker.]  I  want  the  bill  copied,  and  a  copy  sent  to  Mr. 
Barker^or  Mr.  Wells'  examination. 

If  you  get  the  injunction,  show  it  first  to  the  State  Bank,  and  tell  they  follow 
next— then  serve  it  on  Farmers'  Bank— then  show  to  Lansingburgh,  and  tell  them 
they  shall  have  the  same,  and  had  better  keep  the  bills.  That  is,  if  you  think  it  best 
to  mtorm  the  others  before  I  have  made  out  bills  against  them. 

The  M— business  I  have  neglected,  and  never  can  attend  to  it.     Serve  the 

petition— give  the  notice— fill  up  the  proper  day— make  the  motion.  You  and  the 
Attorney  General  [Mr.  V.  Buren,]  draw  the  interrogatories  and  examine  the  wit- 
nesses.    /  cannot,  and  must  rely  wholly  on  you. 

mxTi^T,^?^*^  *^  ^*^®'  ^^^  ^  '"®'^"  to  keep  it  so.  I  WILL  RATHER  SUFFER 
?n?T^iI^?"^  ™  ^^^'J  ^  ^ITTL^,  than  hazard  the  safety  of  T^im¥n. 
TUTIONby  paymg  out  TOO  FAST.  I  have  paid  this  week  $2500— $600  ot 
which  was  Walker.  *   w  u. 

Yours  truly, 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 

^'  1^ jT^l^'^'?"^/^'^'®  ""^'^  ^'■'^  payable  here,  I  would  take  Washington  and  War- 
ren gladly,  but  by  his  own  act  he  has  made  it  payable  in  Albany.  Now  let  him 
pay  what  ^.^ey  will  take,  except  I  will  take  it  in  i  Plattsburg  and  A  current— 
i  Burlington,  i  current.  If  he  has  our  notes  let  him  present  them.  If  not 
paid,  write  Baird  that  it  must  be  done  forthwith,  or  he  will  be  SUED— Baird  will 
make  him  pay  it. 


To  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Ill  State  street,  Albany. 

Dear  Sir,  ^^'^■'^  «'^^'  ^"^y  '''  '^'^- 

Send  the  enclosed  by  the  boat  tomorrow— all  goes  well.     The  Chancellor's 
decision,  m  my  opmion  is  disgraceful,  partial,  unjustifiable— (inter  nos.)     I  pay 


To  Jesse  Hoy 

[Lorenzo  Hoy 
this  morning  1 
IN  A  SLOW 
ance — and  in 
laboring  as  I  1 
the  most  labor 
reflection,  thai 
been  almost  ri 
PARTIALLY 
event  of  stopp 
that  I  have  doi 
of  my  employe 


Messrs.  Butler 
Exchange  B> 
Tlie  truth  toi 

Mr.  Butler' 
posts  he  has  c 
ii  moralist,  ant 
developed  in  tli 
found  ignoranc 
arrogant  monie 
exclusive,  banl 
and  which  was 
penees  and  othi 
its  paper,  for  v, 
Bank  is  able  to 
will  continue  il 
uttermost  farthi 


1819. 


PAYING  IN  A  SLOW  WAY— PEOPLE  SAVED  FROM  RUIN. 


21 


-chiefly  in  Bpecie—aaiisfi/ing  all  FAIR  AND  PROP- 


trom  $  700  to  $  1000  daily- 
EK  ca//3. 

nJiJlTlf''^-  *"^'^-  ^^°  "';l'!'^'"  °^"  =»'''"'  ''"d  »f'«r  a  pro.liginus  hard  conflict 
obtained  he  inquisition,  this  secures  the  estate.  The  lease  did  not  amve  in 
time  fur  the  trial,  as  1  had  it  at  Lake  George.  Got  through  sulS  up  It  U 
0  clock-Jury  out  till  a  ter  1,  A.  M.-tough  business  I  can  assure  \fter 
-t^Ti'TV"y'  """  Tl'"^'  •."  r'*^  George-.12  mile.-7riS  he  auL' 
f  flNTnM'  ic'^a'^u^At^'  1',*^''"^  4-hom6  before  bank  hours. 

no^nnc^for^l^  ^^'^"^^  ^^^'  ^^'%^LS^,^  *'^<^^-     «"'   '  »>- 

r    »   n  n-  ,    .  '        13.  F.  BUTLER. 

Capt.  Loflin  8  letter  contains  cash.  Let  me  know  whether  the  Comptroller  found 
the  account  ol  public  monies  received  by  the  Attorney  General  fM  V  Burenl 
during  my  agency,  correct.     I  furnished  it  last  mail  ^  "  ^ 

(bent  by  Mr.  Bacon.) 


oflh^P  hr„L  H  l^'*'''^""*'^'^''-  "'^'■'^e'^  would  neither  purchase  the  "good-will" 
rPn  LnU  M  u  "  ^'''^"t'  ?*  ^^""■'*'"'  ""^  «"«^'^*"  "'«  Washington  and  War- 
,!kpnn.^ti  ""^'  '""''^''*  *'^''"'  Albany  to  New  York  to  practfse  law,  havina 

taken  out  licences,  as  an  attorney-at-law,  and  a  solicitor-in-chancery.  ^ 


To  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  New  York,  ^''^''"°'  ^"''^''''  ^"^^  ''^'''  ^«»«- 

Dear  Sir,     ••###*##«     Ynnr  hrntho* 

IN  A  SL(fvV  WAY,  until  Mr.  B.  [Barker]  isltttiv^'fj  omeSSatS: 

nce-and  in  the  meant  me  I  shall  take  it  liow  and  easy  for  thcTutre   wSt 

ife  mUfiTh  '"''  '^T  l^'-the.two  months  past,  which  have  been  in  eve?;^"spec 

the  most  laborious  and  perplexing  of  my  life.    I  felicitate  myself,  however,  with  the 

eflection,  that  1  have  relieved  MANY  HUNDREDS  ofplsons  who  wouTd  have 

plRTrALT  y' /'/  ''  T.  Yr^''  ^  ^'-  ^^l^^'  advisif  me-^A«.  U^oekXp 
t'AKllALLY  the  credit  of  the  paper  ID=  m  the  vicinity  of  the  Bank,  which  in  the 

IhaT  hlv?fP'"^7"''^^''^  ''''''  ""^  '^  "^  ^"^  ^''  ''^"^  iscount-a  ut  hat  n  a5 
that  I  have  done,  I  have  been  actuated  by  a  sincere  desire  to  promote  the  interests 
of  my  employer,  and  the  welfare  and  preservation  of  the  community      •    '^'%^^^l 

In  haste,  your  friend, 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Messrs    Butler  and  Barker's  management  of  the  Washington  and  Warren,  and  the 

flrnftl  fnld'^''  rr^M    'iJ'^'V'r'^"'*-  '^"'^^  -«^''--  of  these  lltZi,^, 
L  Iw  t,  uth  told  too  late.     Mr.  HoyVs  ,^ctent  agency.     Pvffs  and  puffers. 

nn!?"""!  "f '^'^'^  P".''^'''  career-his  rapid  advancement— the  high  and  honorable 
posts  he  has  occupied-the  very  lucrative  situation  he  now  fills-lus  stan  mfa^ 
^  moralist,  and  professing  christian-these  are  known-but  of  his  Lm  «  /  ^ 
developed  in  the  preceding  letters,  his  countrymen  have  hitherto  remSedh  pro- 
found Ignorance  He  denounces  in  the  Sandy  Hill  Times,  greedy  sSatos  and 
arrogant  monied  aristocracies,  and  this  too  from  the  shop  counte^r  ofTchartered 
exclusive  banking  monopoly,  of  which  he  was  the  richly  endowed  High  Priest- 
nPnJ  .""l'  '^'"  ^r't'"^  '^^  P-'^y"^^"*  "f  *'«  J^^t  debts,  by  countinf  out  six! 
Ss  nan^  f  °'^\'-  Tf  "^l"".^''- '°  ^l''^''  '^"^^  ^^0  held  thousands  ot^dollars  of 

Will  continue  its^  J^de;;  tl^Strini;:^^^'^^^^:^^^^:^!;;:^^  tE^ 
uttermost  fartlung,' -and  this  he  solemnly  affirms  on  his  hoLr  as  a  man,  aSd  in 


89 


BUTLER  AND  BARKER  REVIKWKD,  AS  BANKERS. 


his  oflirial  capacity  as  the  presiding  oflicpr  of  the  corporation.    His  "  bulletin,"  all 


llit^  N.  Y.  EviMiiiiif  I'ost,  the  Albany  papers,  and  nil 


he  calls  it,  was  copied  into 

over  the  state.  11  is  fervent  [)iety  ffave  weijrht  to  his  asservations— the  people 
believeil,  were  deeeiveil,  and  lie  adinitM  to  Mr.  Jloyt,  in  his  letter  of  Nov.  16,  that 
his  character  iind  sutlered  severely  in  consequence. 

If  he  told  the  truth,  that  the  Hank  was  perfectly  solvent,  what  are  vvc  to  think 
of  his  abiding  Iriendship  for  .Jacob  Barker,  who  had  allowed  its  notes  to  fall  to  40 
cents,  cash!  Mr.  Hutlcr  reniaiiu'd  as  President  of  tlu' bankrupt  i-oncf^n  uiilil  it 
was  intimated  that  his  i)rincely  income  was  to  be  taken  away,  next  year  in  Feb- 
ruary. ()n  the  !»th  of  February,  18-J(),  the  notes  of  the  \V.  and  W^  rlank  were 
quoted  in  the  I'lveniufr  Post,  as  worth  :i7i  cent.s— ami  on  the  -Ith  of  Mar<'li,  at  only 
35  cents  per  dollar,  while  Barker's  Ivxchanije  Hank  notes  had  found  their  level  at 
20  cents.     Still  we  find  President  Hutler  at  his  desk  in  Sandy  Hill ! 

On  the  17th  of  Seiuember,  IH21,  Heers  and  UunncU,  ((uote  VV.  and  VV.  notes  at 
45  to  50  cents  ;  and  in  October  the  Evenimr  Post  has  VV.  and  W.  at  45  cents,  and 
Barker's  Exchange  notes  i)iiyablo  in  N.  Y,  at,  onlv  12i  cents  per  dollar.  Next 
year  they  were  sold  at  10  cents  for  ;■  dollar  note.  Jn  June,  1824,  after  the  VV.  and 
VV.  Hank  notes— fnuu  $  150,000  to  * 300,000— perhaps  twice  as  much  (for  there 
is  no  believincj  any  thinj?  that  such  person  .  as  Barker  may  assert)— after  its  notes 
were  boufjht  in  at  50  to  75  per  cent  discount,  then— but  not  till  then— did  this 
fraudulent  concern,  recominri,,(-  again  "  cash  payments,"  which  Mr.  Harker  or 
his  instruments  kept  up  lor  some  years — but  the  Exchange  Bank  was  a  dead 
failure,  of  which  its  owner  got  rid  by  taking  the  benefit  of  the  state  insolvent  law. 
In  August,  1810,  Mr.  Jacob  liarkcr  issued  a  pamphlet,  dat.d  at  his  Exchange 
Bank,  a  bundle  of  which  he  sent  to  Mr.  Butler,  at  Sandy  Hill,  for  general  circula- 
tion— one  of  these  is  now  be'bn!  me.     It  states. 

That  he  (Mr.  Barker,)  began  his  Exchange  Bank,  in  New  York,  with  a  sub- 
stantial capital  of  $250,000  ;  that  it  tlourished  till  May,  1810— that  tlio  average 
or  usual  circulation  of  its  notes  was  over  half  a  million  of  dollar.s — that  in  that 
month  he  ceased  to  pay  out  Exchange  notes,  substituting  Washington  and  Warren, 
(which  occasioned  the  run  on  his  President,  at  Sandy  Hill ;)— that  from  the  Isi  of 
August,  1818,  to  the  1st  of  May,  181'J,  he  had  redeemed  a/  par  $582,115  of  VV. 
and  VV.  not('s,  "  while  others  were  purchasing  them  at  a  discount," — that  from 
April  2(ith  to  June  lOth,  there  was  not  one  thousand  dollars  of  the  W.  and  VV. 
bills  returned  for  redem|)tiou — and  that  he  cunsidrml  Ihr  \V.  diul  W.  Bunk 
"  FROM  THE  KNOWLEDGE  HE  HAD  OF  ITS  CONCERNS,  AS  GOOD 
AS  ANY  OTHER,  IF  NOT  THE  BEST  IN  AMERICA." 

Mr.  Barker  further  said,  in  this  pamphlet  of  his— "  because  I  know  the  paper  lo  he 
good,  1  recoinincnd  to  every  man  whose  good  opinion  I  wish  to  preserve,  to  take  the 
notes  of  the  Washington  and   Warren  Bank,  and  also  the  notes  of  the  Edchange 
Bank  for  any  property  he  wishes  to  sell." 
Again — 

"  The  notes  of  the  W.  and  W.,  payable  in  N.  Y.,  will,  from  this  date  be  punc- 
tually redeemed  at  this  (Exchange)  Bank  ;  and  the  others  will  continue  to  be 
redeemed  at  the  Bank  at  Sandy  Hill." 

"  I  confidently  calculate  that  no  man  will  approach  the  polls  at  the  next  spring 
election,  with  a  bill  [of  the  Exchange  Bank]  in  his  pocket,  which  he  caimot  then 
conv.  ,1  iPto  money,  at  par,  if  he  chooses  to  do  so." 

Time  'hewrii  that  all  thi'=  was  a  deception  of  the  most  unprincipled,  reprehen- 
siblp  chirr!i:;ttr  at  it  did  nw.  diminish  the  close  intimacy  then  subsisting  between 
Jer  0  Hoyi,  Jacob  Barker,  and  Martin  Van  Buren  ! 

After  stating  to  his  friend  Hoyt,  (23d  of  June,)  that  he  had  paid  in  cash  two 
sums  amounting  to  $  166,  Mr.  Butler  threatens  that  if  any  more  such  calls  should 
appear,  he  would  place  them  in  their  turn  among  the  bank  creditors  lie  was  then 
tantalizing  with  sixpencies  and  other  "  small  change." 

When  i\Ir.  Olcott  complains  of  Banks  which  speculate  in  their  own  depreciated 
paper,  and  place  their  funds  far  from  "  the  only  spot  where  they  pretend  to 
redeem"  their  bills,  (which  was  the  case  with  the  VV.  and  VV.)  the  meek  sabbath 
keeping  Mr.  Butler,  threatens  to  write  for  the  papers,  what  would  gall  his 
(Olcott's)  "  hank  to  the  quick."  And  when  he  (Butler)  appiuhended  that  his  notes 
would  be  demanded  when  due,  by  banks  holding  quantities,  he  sent  Jesse  Hoyt  to 


terrify  them  I 
Chancery. 
The  locatio 

business,  and 

chosen  as  a  n. 

.ittorney,  the 

Hirts  of  law,  i 

"  llie  Young  i 

take  back  the 

to  "  fall  in  ^v| 

i:idl    "  the    D 

would  pray  of 

over  the  eredu 

his  worthless  y 

If  such   a  ma 

Altoiney,  at  > 

the  Senate,  she 

and  temper  of 

In  his  "  sec 

means  to   pay 

awhile!"    Lei 

and  proper  call 

in   a  slow  wa 

through    the    \ 

"  uttermost  far 

for  B.  F.  But!. 

(his  lOth  of  Ju 

the  law,  if  lie  ^ 

and  Barker  had 

Ca.ses  are  on 

of  their  bills  to 

receiving,  as  it 

that  recorded  ol 

class,  but  it  is 

both  with  ca.sh 

a  smaller  sum  ti 

of  its  business. 

Among  those 

relief  law  of  If 

iienjamin  Frank 

Mr.  Hoyt  got 

extract  was  well 


Messrs.  Webs 
"  Sandy  Hill,  Ji; 
to  community,  yi 

"The  run  upo 
is  wholly  subside 
us,  salisfml  the  pt 
Iw  his  temporary  i 
Mr.  Butler,  the  F 
his  own  hands,  h( 
were  more  than  a 
bills,  to  lay  them 
retire  to  give  roor 


CAN  MR.  BUTLER  CONTINUE  TO  HOLD  OFFICE?  j|8 

^n^^""  '^  '"■"'*''"'"»  ^°'"^'  '^"•^  ^^y'"*^  "^''"s  ^vith  .cxatious  proceedings  in 

Altoincy,  at  N.  Y  with  ««J(»nnn,>»'  „  i  't^- i""i''">'<  "np»  oi  ij.  b  District 
til.'  ShkUc,  sho  .k  Lis  name  be  int  o  tS  Vh.?"'"'  ?  L^''"  '  ""^'  "^  '■•'"«™^'d  by 
^nul  t..u.p..r  „(•  this  ,rr, 'a  r 'public  '  ^  '""'"  '""'"''""  ^^^^^  ■"'"'*'  ""=  ^^'^W^ 

:n.tJ';;',^:t;t"r  :.^!j-  ,!^;7V.a  ;;;■:;  -^ii  (l;:s.;'rt^  rv^'-^y  "^ 

:i  wliilc  !"  Let  "  the  Dubiic  (Vet  a  littln  "  Til," ,..  mi,  !\  ''^  ''"'''"'  *"  ^^"'t 
''utt^inostluShiJ  '  VLu'lXw  uS'  .r'll'  "''  7""'!  P^y  '«  ^h« 
and  Barivor  had  dociarcd  to  bo  ir?  "  the  best  in  An.ericlil  "^  *  "'""''  ^^ 

class,  but  it  is  evident,  b7  Mr   C"''s  olnZluH  '^l^^u"^  ^'"^  "^  ^^at 
both  with  cash  nndth^bniso-o    e    bLkrinMartun^nn^^^  redemptions, 

a  smaller  sum  than  a  nal  bank  i.avs  i    -u.  bo  r  nr^Iv        li         i"'^'  ''"counted  to 
of  its  business.  '   ^        '"  ''""'  "'  ^''"  '"  ^''«  ordinary  transaction 

benjamin  Franklin  Butler  <lut  vse  vv.ll  not  find  on  record  the  name  of 

From  the  Albany  Daily  Adirrtiscr. 

Washington  and  "Warren  Bank. 

Messrs.  Websters  &  Skinners      TV,^  f„ii      •      '^"''"^^^ay,  30th  June,  1819. 

"  Sandy  Hill,  June  2?  18  "j  '    'kTo,^  \t}T'^^  'Vf"  "^''""^  '■™'"  ^  ''="<^'-.  ''ated 

.0  eomiLinity,  you  ^ili  ^^a^  to  ^^U  a'l^acelCr^!:;:.;:^"  '^  "^^^  --- 

his  own  hands,  he  called  in  his  nd^Ss  to  L^st  h  m  in  t^^„^^  'T\  '"T^^  T"^ 
->re  to  ,L  room  .or  o^f  ^j;-j;^tll--- ^^l^^ -n  b.,.^a  ■ 


f-'l-i 


9i 


BUTLER  AND  VAN  BUREN  ACTING  IN  CHARACTER. 


gol,l  and  .Jlver,  and  -went  away  satisfied  that  all  was  well,  and  that  Sandy  Hill  was 
not  without  its  '  grains  of  gold.'  You  may  tell  your  Albany  banks  that  they  had 
better  be  a  little  more  sparing  of  their  denunciations,  for  their  own  vaults  may 
have  to  atone  for  the  oins  of  their  keepers.  Sell  all  the  goods  you  can  for  these 
notes.  But  you  had  better  not  send  up  until  the  alarm  has  proved  groundless,  as 
you  may  be  trod  on  in  tlie  cnj.vd.  When  you  do  send,  however,  you  will  always 
have  the  jueference  over  brokers  in  being  waited  upon,  for  we  do  not  much  admire 
those  leeches  upon  the  '  body  politic'  in  this  part  of  the  country." 

Another  pulf  is  given  in  the  New  York  Evening  Post,  as  an  extract  of  a  letter 
from  Jacob  Barker^  dated  28th  June.  "  I  left  Sandy  Hill  yesterday  The  bank 
has  not  stopped  pfiymeiit — U  icill  not  stop  payment;  which  please  promulgate,"  &c. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Dp  Witt  C/uiton  hlainei,   in  life,  hvt  praisid  uftcrivards.     Party  spirit  degenerating 
into  faction.     Hints  for  the  Convention  of  184G. 

"  Clinton  is  raving  mad,  beside  being  a  fool,"  says  Mr.  Butler,  in  one  of  his 
private  letters  to  Mr.  Hoyt.  "  I  think  the  situation  of  the  Governor  is  daily 
becoming  more  desperati ,"  saj's  he  again.  Expressions  like  these  are  not  unfre- 
quent  in  his  correspondence,  but  it  would  appear,  on  rtference  to  his  remarks  and 
the  resolutions  which  he  moved  in  the  House  of  Assembly,  at  the  time  of  Mr. 
Clinton's  death,  that  he  had  about  that  time  changed  his  opinion.  He  there  spoke 
of  "  the  illustrious  dead,"  whose  name  was  more  likely  to  be  perpetuated  in 
history  than  that  of  any  other  son  of  New  York  since  its  first  settlement — said 
there  never  had  been  aught  personal  in  his  (Mr.  B.'s)  opposition,  save  respect  for 
the  character  and  admiration  of  the  talents  of  a  man  "  whose  ambition  it  was  to  be 
distinguished  as  the  friend  of  learning  and  morals,  and  as  the  advocate  and  patron 
of  every  measure,  calculated  to  promote  the  welfare,  or  increase  the  glory  of  the 
State." 

"  Let  the  statesmen  of  the  present  day,  those  who  are  now  engaged  in  the  career 
of  ambition,  learn  wisdom  from  his  example.  The  grave  of  Clinton  will  soon  cover 
the  recollections  of  his  political  honors,  and  in  it  will  be  buried  the  triumphs  and 
reverses  of  the  hour.  But  his  fame  as  tlie  patron  of  schools  and  seminaries  of  learn- 
ing, as  tlie  fr'end  of  morals  and  benevolence,  and  as  the  ardent  champion  of  every 
great  public  improvement,  will  flourish  while  time  shall  lo  ,t.  Need  I  remind  you  of 
his  eflbrts  to  call  out  and  to  foster  the  latent  genius  of  our  people  .'  Need  I  speak  of 
his  labors  in  aid  of  that  gre^t  work  which  has  conferred  so  much  glory  on  his  native 
State,  and  so  largely  contributed  to  the  happiness  of  its  inhabitants?  By  connecting 
his  fortunes  with  the  success  of  that  stupendous  project,  and  by  devoting  to  it  the  best 
energies  of  his  mind,  what  an  unfading  wreath  did  he  secure  !  So  long  as  the  waters 
of  the  great  lakes  shall  flow,  through  this  new  channel  to  the  Atlantic,  so  long  shall 
history  record  his  name  ! 

1  have  quoted  Mr.  B.'s  remarks  fnmi  the  New  York  Statesman  of  February  15, 
1828.  Mr.  A'an  Buren's,  in  a  meeting  of  members  of  Congress  from  New  York 
State,  held  in  the  Capitol  at  Washington,  February  19,  are  taken  from  Genera! 
Green's  Telegraph : 

"  The  high  order  of  his  talents,  the  untiring  zeal  and  great  success  with  whieli 
those  talents  liav(?,  through  a  series  of  years,  been  devoted  *o  the  prosecution  ol' 
plans  of  greai  public  utility,  are  also  known  to  you''  *  #  *  *  "  the  greatest 
improvenuMit  of  the  a!T('  iu  which  we  live  was  commenced  under  the  guidance  of 
his  councils,  aiul  S])leudidly  accomplished  under  his  immediate  auspices"  *  *  *  » 
"  the  triumph  of  his  talents  ami  patriotism,  cannot  fail  to  become  monuments  of 
high  and  etuluring  fame."'  INIr.  \ .  B.  then  moved  i  resohition  declaring  Mr 
Clinton  the  "  proudest  ornament''  of  New  York  State,  and  "  a  distinguished  public 
benefiictor.'' 


Why  it  was 
('linton  an  al 
Fiagg,  and  thi 
dental  majorit 
where  ho  ha( 
eulogies  will  ( 
the  House  of  j 


[Po.st  mark, 
New  York  th;i 
know  without 
seen  the  Gover 
nominations,  a 
People~h\n  he 
People. 

He  will  rccd 
but,  if  possible 
The  Pepuhlin 
(/uestion;  and, 
CLINTON  LS 
IF  IT  18  TH( 
WILL  GO  T'( 
Was  Cardina 
tinuance  of  goo 


Extract  from 
December  24th, 
full  operation,  : 
notorious  politic 
despairing  of  be( 
meetings,  and  w 
will  not  acknow 
who  composed  tl 
to  its  political  ca 
Townsends,  P.  ( 
mist  that  Repu 
popular  measure 
measure  itself  I  n 
from  which  it  spr. 


^fr.  Butler  feels 
Hoyt  to  keep  t 
heeomes  an  activ 
benefit  of  the  In 


Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq., 

poor  wight  ever  ] 
]nd)Ue  censure  and 
'lad  comparatively 
law  labor. 
You  are  right  ir 
A 


A  SPECIMEN  OP  PARTY  SPIRIT  WORTH  REMEMBERING.  25 

FIa.?,andthn  party  eSrunlT  ffv^rTr^^^/^''""  Y"^'"'  ^""'^"'ih  C. 
.Inntal  majority  in  the  loS  UuJrmnoVll  n^n'^f"'  'f '""  ^^l^^"*^?*^  «f  an  acci- 
where  he,  ha.l  sat  without  S-;  TeXer  Mr  v""  f  ^^^^^^  ^^  the  canal  board, 
culofrics  will  explain-b„  the  llllnv^n,^  fvt  ;  V"  ""^"^  """^  ^'-  Sutler's 
.he  House  of  A^mhly,  S^^.JIlrSirS  l^^^T^Z::^  ^'^^  "'^ 

£r/,TO;v/  i/:««ir.-V««,  Al/mm/,  toJrsselloyt,  New  York. 

[Post  mark,  Albany   Dec   »!  1  ihoq      u  t?  i      i 
i\ew  York  that  I  was  m.lor'yi  Bu^w  'S''^''^  ''"'  \''^  ^^''^-^^  '"  ^circulation  „, 
know  without  my  teliinnm,       -.t  hn  '      '"""'^"'^^  "'="'«  ^^  «Peech,  &e.,  but  you 
seen  the  Governo^rS^ieh^^^^^^^^^  *     *     I  have 

nominations,  an,l  LfS,hSTmntJ^T^f  ''  '^f"'?'"-^  '"  ^'''"''  "^  ^^"«"« 

/;^..-..n  he  says  tiat ...  S.S:[:i;^/:r^  t  Tl^  ^.^'^  ^  J 

.".|>if:T=^.:t^s=i;  iLH  rsre^- ' — - — 

CLINTON  IS  tERY  D\NGEROT  S  THFvV^^^  '^"'  "''^'•-     IF 


DeSmbe  £r  823 -~A  mo".  "nJ^*  '  '"  f^i^*^^  Jesse-dated  at  Albany, 
full  operation   'in  rdation  to  the  iCsiden'tH^  '"'^  '^  """'  *^'^  '"•^•"•^"^  "^ 

notorious  political  reneaales  o  wi  W  fIp  l''^T^  ^'J""'  '''''''^  ''^  ^^™ 
despairing  of  becomin..  Seat  b'v  anv  nthi',?  1  and  Jacob  Lansing-men  who, 
meetings: and  who  have  become  miSnth  V^^'' '^'r?'^  ^^^  "^^'i"™  °f  such 

will  ncl  acknowledge  ;L!r:u"eriorr;td^gTeat^^^^  t  Tme  ^"^^  '%''TP'^ 
who  composed  the  meeting  wil/ superclle  thf  nTcessit  nJlf.^^Jl^i^^J;;;"- 


.0  its  political  cas:^?'¥^j^;^-l^egI.^on^ssity  of  any  fUJZ 

'n„o          .[^?      .,^'"^^^"' ^^illiam  James,  J.  Alexander  thp 
ransevoort.  tho  r"i=owi,r„    r?    tr 1         r^        ^"5  •'•^^j-iLA.inaer,  me 


u™.  that  Republican,  a„V,tXt'm„S'';vite;^*^^^^^ 


CHAPTER  VH. 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  New  York.  ^"^^"^  ^''^^'  ^«^-  !«'  1819. 

Mv  Dkau  Sir, —     ****-*#t™ 


26 


BANKING RELIGION — LAW — POLITICS. 


that  drama)  in  iIip  Exchange  Bank,  is  a  common  misfortune.  To  me  especially  it 
is  a  great  one.  /  hud  clteurfvlly  .tiiJj'iTccI  the  drprcciotion  of  OUR  PAPER,  that  Mr. 
B.  [Barker]  mifrlil  in  the  meantimo  bend  all  hi.s  efforts  to  the  Exchange  Bank,  and 
in  the  resiimption  of  payment  there,  hoped  for  the  most  anspicious  results.  The 
matter  is  past  mending,  and  no  doubt  it  is  all  for  the  best.  Wc  continue  paying 
daily  jn  a  smnll  iray,  iiiorr  to  nlwvr  the  syj}'(rings  of  roin/nunilij  than  for  any  other 
purpose.  The  credit  of  the  paper  is  very  low  in  this  country — hardly  any  one  takes 
it  at  par — and  were  it  not  for  the  small  payments  of  which  I  spoke,  no  one  of  my 
neighbors  would  have  any  confidence  in  the  ultimate  solvency  of  the  institution. 
Some  few,  inferrin?  from  what  has  been  done  and  what  is  now  dointr,  that  the 
intention  is  TO  PRESERVE  THE  BAJS'K,  are  rulhir  disposed  to  think  favorably 
of  the  concern.     *     *     *     #     # 

By  the  bye,  my  character  is  so  depreciated  at  Albany  (according  to  report)  that 
but  few  of  my  old  acquaintances  would  acknowledge  or  receive  me.  Some  of 
them,  I  hear,  have  the  kindness  and  condescension  to  compassionate  and  pity  me, 
while  others  consider  ine  full  as  bad  as  Jacob  Barhcr,  which  in  these  days  is  con- 
sidered a  pretty  severe  specimen  of  invective  and  reproiich.     So  be  it. 

They  raiiiicit  rob  nin  iif  freo  nature's  irace, 
They  cimniit  slim  tlie  winildws  (if  llio  sky, 
They  ciiniiiit  har  my  coiisiaiil  feel  to  truce 
'I'lic  Wddda  and  lawns,  by  liviii!;slre:iin  at  eve, 
Of  fancy,  reason,  cirtiie,  noui-'lit  can  me  bereave. 

I  am  sorry  to  observe  that  you  are  obliged  to  turn  casuist  in  order  to  reconcile 
your  Sunday  labors  to  your  own  sense  of  duty.  *  *  *  *  »  ]\*o  true  conso- 
lation can  ever  be  derived  from  any  thing  that  requires  the  neglect  of  a  religious 
duty.  The  ways  of  wisdom,  and  of  wisdom  only,  "  are  ways  of  pleasantness" — 
her  paths,  and  hers  only,  "  are  paths  of  peace."  Mrs.  Butler  joins  in  affectionate 
remembrance.  Truly  yours, 

B.  F.  B. 


BUTL 

prefer  remaini 
certainly  won] 
lowed,  I  have 
do  not  rcnret  t 
cate  myself  in 
Cccs'ir's,  i/iat  i 
IS  a  fair  cxprrs 
to  he  even  the  ^ 
sumptuous  to  a 
have  it  known 
not  already  he 
fearful  that  Mt 
pects  you  indu 

Since  my  re: 
before  the  pubi 
preserved  with 
some  warmth. 

Education,  1 
TAIL.  I  hav 
object  but  the  ivc 
self  within  the 
me." 

I  have  receiv 
pay  me  the  sal; 
compelled  to  loui 
gloomy. 


Sandy  Hill,  Dec.  17.  1819. 
Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Albany. 

My  Dear  Sir, — We  have  been  much  troubled  by  visitors  at  the 
Bank  for  the  10  days  past.  The  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  which  sat  in  the  village 
a  part  of  two  weeks,  has  just  adjourned.  You  can  hardly  conceive  how  much  1 
was  vexed  and  molested.  Every  man  who  owned  a  dollar  of  our  paper  made  a 
point  of  bringing  it  along.  I  made  my  (h^bllt  as  an  attorney — was  employed  in  two 
causes  which  I  tried  audi  argued,  and  had  very  good  success.  There  is  but  little 
law  business  doing  in  this  county.  Such  complaints  you  never  heard  from  law- 
yers, of  the  dullness  of  the  times  and  the  scarcity  of  money. 

Most  truly  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 


[Mailed,  Hudson,  Feb.  9.] 

Hudson,  Feb.  7th,  1820. 
Jssse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Attorney  at  Law,  New  York. 

Dear  Friend, — The  release  for  Mr.  Youle  is  enclosed. 
Wc  have  no  Commissioner  at  our  village,  {the  men  ft  for  it  being  chiefly  Buchtails,) 
and  I  therefore  brought  it  with  me.  *  *  *  *'*  *  *  *  You  are  THE 
ONLY  PERSON  to  irhom  I  ever  write  caxept  on  business  topics,  and  perhaps  I 
should  write  less  frequently  than  I  now  do  were  it  not  for  the  occasional  necessity 
of  the  correspondence.  Not  that  1  dislike  the  employment,  or  have  forgotten  the 
friend — neither  is  the  case. 

I  have  a  tolerable  prospect  of  getting  a  livelihood  liy  my  profession  at  Sandy 
Hill,  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Skinner  and  his  con.-<equent  desertion  of  the  bar,  hav- 
ing left  room  for  some  other  person.  I  have  taken  liis  office,  but  whether  I  shall 
fill  his  place  remains  to  be  seen.  I  have  been  urged  to  hold  myself  in  reserve  until 
spring  and  then  remove  to  New  York  with  an  old  friend  of  ours,*  (M.  V.  B.),  but  1 

*  Ma.-tin  Van  Buran. 


Mr.  Butler  on  ^ 
and  the  conspi 
Barker's  Con 
Warren  BanI 


My  dear  frieii 
Mr.  Barker,  for 
communicate, 
■my  sort  of  estin 
I  do  not  yet  prec 
lieve  he  does  hii 
versation  with  h 

hensions  that  he  i 

*     *     #     #     I 

♦.'Mr.  Butler  here 
Jud?e  W.  W.  Van  Ne 
clwree  a!.',iinst  the  Jii 
ihey  had  shared  S20,(: 
'er,  in  1S13.  General 
V'  N.  had  accepted  «£ 
'ill  the  circumstances 
"peil  and  imraveled,  li 
was  appointed.  The, 
!owed  the  aid  of  four  c 
w'ere  also  lawyers,  ant 
'here  were  in  abundan 
A.Tieriran,  .if  April  I3i 

1.  The  Board  of  Din 
\i^  seen  by  the  C'onimi 
'ises  it  was  to  be  put  t 
the  question. 


n 


BUTLER  WANTS  TO  BE  A  GREAT  MAN— THE  CORRUPT  JUDGE.  27 

fpnrrnl  ti.nt  AT     ij    1      •'  ^      ^    ''  plcjuse  consider  what  I  sav  as  irikr  nu^      I  nm 

pay  m"  theTahrt  f  iT  f'T  .^^'^  ^''^7^  ^^'^"""^  ^^'^^  '^'^  ^-'^^  --«  ""able  to 

doomv         ^""^■^"'^"'  '">"'  t^'nepast,  and  which  will  render  my  prospects  rather 

B.   F.  BUTLER. 


F.  B. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Mr.    Van   Burcn  and  the   Washington  and 


Barker's   Conviction  and  Letters. 
Warren  Bank   Charter. 


Mr.  Butkr  to  Mr.  Hoyt. 
My  dear  friend,     *****     it  i.  hnf  .  n     ^^^^Ny   ^      h  ^^^  ^^^^ 

jny  son  of t inS;;r  j'r ';hJ'\^;:iSe  St  :Sir;^;S/  ^-^  t  >^"  h 

etr  Ter; -S  '".;;'  F  r  "r  ''^-  '^^"  ^'^^"'^  ex  ecations,  nor  do  I  be- 
versati;;nt;S 'Sin  tff  s.^  ■  ct  t'h^  iLS  T^^o^^^^jY'  ^""^^  ^""- 
^.^.«.  th^at  he  .^u,dM,n  acLect;on  .JZT  t^a  ^^^/^Ij.  '"^'  "T  T^'t 
___  Ihe  *Committee  ot  Inquiry  intended  to  report  next  week,  but  as 

clwrce  against  the  Jii.lee,  a  n.eniher  of  riieAss^mlvn'  v^v^ ,,'''''  '^;  ^  ^'"erican  made  a  si^ecific 
•hey  ha,l  shared  S20,0no  of  a  bhhe  from  the  haXoi^^  an  Attorney  of  Coh.mbia  Co',  that 

er,  .„  1S13.  General  Root  moved  fin-  a  C  m  lefon  he  a^.h  ,  '''"?  '"  "^  P"''^'"^''  '^'"''^  ^rccial  cliar- 
V;  lY  had  accepted  S5(I00  for  his  Jervkes  ™  X  k  in  ,h'^  r  '"  "t^^T^  "'■^''^^'"  "  "'^^  "-"e  that  Judge 
■111  the  circumstance,  of  briherv  a,  ,7cormpt  o  that  tnarLd  th^n""''  "^  '^f  ?'""•  ?"'•  lemarked,  -  that^if 
"Peiland  unraveled,  it  would  take  the  c  Z  h  el  f  lon^^hl^  proeress  of  that  charter  were  to  be  rievel- 
was  a|,poir,ted.  The  Jtidsre,  instc'n  I  of  Sn"  n/^nf  ilV  f  r^v^"  T'T"  ^^"'  ''"'■^■"  ^  c^^i'tee  of  nine 
lowed  the  aid  of  nM,rdistin.A,i,she    lawyer    e^hS  ''r  '"  '""""''  "'""•  "'^''^  '"  '«  '''• 

^vore  also  lawyer.,  and  their  chairman  w  s't  e  mi!  ur  ol^  the  fn  '?  '"'  "''"  ''■''""',■  ''A"  '"""^^  comnniiee 
•here  were  in  abundance,  but,  say  niess  sC  ar  s  Ki  ,^  the  Jiuk-e's  senior  c(,nn.^el.  Quirks  and  quibbles 
Ameriran,  of  imil  I3ihl--Mndp;  '  ,i  '""^"^'.'^  '^'i'?- J-  A.  Hamilton,  and  Johnston  Vornlai'ick  in  Tho 
,  1.  The  BoardWr    tor,"  f'  1  e''  a  rof'^^^^^  ff  "''  '"""^  '"''''l^  T"    ^'  war«hown"tha^t! 

1'^  seen  by  the  Committee  as  contained  the  e,  irv  fo/,hl  „  '  Permit  so  much  of  their  book  of  minutes  to 
;«s  it  was  to  be  put  to,  and  ihTmu  vea  for  1  7ptmtt'^TonlVn^  ^^""'',?'  "^  ^^O.OCK),  with  the 
the  riueslion.  ""idcs  lur  ine  pajmont,  though  that  entry  would  probably  have  settled 


28 


BANKiiKS  AND  JUDOES  IN  TUOUHLi;. 


Judge  Vail  Ness  has  not  yet  returned,  1  do  not  believe  tli(>y  will  bo  ready.  Thai 
concern  looks  very  dark  for  his  Honor.  If  he  is  innocent  he  iias  been  very  unwise 
in  the  course  he  has  ndojited.  If  he  shall  be  convicted,  uliiniately,  what  a  degrad- 
ing circumstance  it  will  be  for  the  judicial  character  of  our  State  !  It  was  ojicc 
our  pride  and  ornament — but  how  are  the  confnlence  and  respect  of  the  public  to 
be  preserved  when  its  members  are  suspected,  iimch  less  when  they  are  arraigned 
for  '*  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors  !  '' — In  truth  your  very  sincere  friend, 

J3.  F.  BUTLER. 

The  reader  may  have  j)erhaps  had  an  impression  tiiat,  in  IHl'J,  Mr.  Butler  was  in 
some  degree,  the  dupe  of  his  cunning  relative,  Jacob  Barker.  8uch  was  in  no  re- 
spect the  case.  Between  these  financiers  and  their  I'riend  Mr.  M.  Van  Buren  the 
very  best  understanding  continued  to  prevail,  and  j)revails  to  this  very  hour.  Mr. 
Butler  acted  as  Mr.  Barker's  agent  long  after  he  left  Sandy  Ilill — did  business  for 
the  W.  &  W.  bank,  when,  'ifler  "  getting  in  its  notes,''  it  opened  shop  again — 
was  Mr.  ]3arker's  advocate  vhen,  in  18'2{J-7  he  was  thrice  tried,  never  acquitted 
but  again  and  again  declared  io  be  guilty  of  enormous  frauds,  by  upright  and  in- 
telligent juries,  in  the  New  York  Circuit  Court — and  pleaded  liard  with  the  jury 
not  to  convict,  aiding  also  other  "  hnanciers"  then  tliere  placed  in  some  trouble, 
to  appease  a  pillaged  and  insulted  community,  and  escape  the  penitentiary  and 
pillory,  a  doom  which  some  of  them  very  richly  merited.* 

a.  Tlic  ri'ciipt  which  i\Ir.  liiirrall  took  I'nuii  Williain.-i  fur  ihiil  swn,  whicli  ho  handed  tu  his  successor  and 
asked  him  to  lirini;  it  to  Alhany,  Uio  latter  refn.sed,  sayiji?  it  wunld  not  lie  necessary,  and  when  at  Alhany 
denied  all  recnllectiun  of  il. 

ii.  ^Messrs.  Jiihn  Dmr  and  Kudiilph  Bunncr  swear  positively  that  Jndic  Van  Ness  twice  confessed  to  each 
of  them,  se|)arately,  tliat  he  was  entitled  to  one  third  of  the  620, (Kill  received  hy  Williams— that  he  feared 
that  Williaais  meant  to  defraud  him.  and  only  L'ive  himSotHIU — that  the  money  was  a  !.'raluily  to  him  (the 
Judge)  from  the  hank  of  America— and  that  Williams  claimed  a  part  of  the  casli  for  Urosvenor,  of  Coluinhia 
Co.,  on  the  express  L'roimds  that  he  had  been  as  useful  in  getting'  the  hill  through  the  l.eu'islature  as  either 
of  them.  This  was  the  bank  which  Governor  'i'ompkins  pi\>ro;,'ucd  the  Legislaiure  rather  than  agree  to  iis 
incorporaiion  in  I>I2. 

■t.  It  was  shown  th.it  JudL'e  V.  N.  had  L'iven  contradictory  accounts  of  the  way  he  became  entitled  to  this 
'•  gratuity." — that  3Ir.  AViliiams  had  done  Ihe  .<anie— anil  that  a  slory  about  an  agreement  of  the  bank  of 
America  to  lend  the  (country)  hank  of  Columbia  Sl.'iO.dOll  in  c:Lsh,  fori.')  years,  at  J  per  cent  interest,  on 
the  security  of  the  corporalion,  to  benefit  the  former  liank,  tor  cancelling  which  Mr.  Williams  asserted  that 
the  .S20,lKKi  was  obtained,  was  unite  absmd.  ;Mr.  Wolcotl,  who  alone  conducted  the  negotiation  with  !\lr. 
Williams,  swore  he  never  heard  of  it— and  that  no  additional  security  was  asked  or  given — that  a  loan  was 
agreed  on,  lint  at  (>  per  cent  instead  of  H — to  prove  which  he  jiroduced  the  original  proposal  of  even  dale 
with  the  bond.  The  Judge  got  the  ».JO(JU,  it  is  true,  but  Cieneral  itoot's  inquiry  alfecled  his  health— he  died 
.some  years  after. 

What  a  dangerous  thing,  in  a  country  where  every  one  depeiiils  on  the  law  as  a  protector,  is  it  to  have 
judges  ready  to  lioldout  tlie  hand  for  "  u  eratuity,"  while  with  the  tongue  and  [len  they  sit  iu  the  (laid  min- 
isters ol  the  law.  perverting  .ju.^tico  !  With  .^Ir.  Van  Ness,  bank  gratuities  were  not  new,  When,  in 
March,  tSOr),  a  faithful  committee  of  ibi;  A.-^.sembly  of  that  ilay  a.sked  leave  to  report  tlie  evidence  of  whole- 
.sale  bribery  in  the  matter  of  the  Merchants'  Hank  charter.  It'ave  Wiis  refused,  and  si.v  members  implicated  in 
the  charge  added,  to  delay  ot  crii.--!i  investiL'ation  ;  of  these  i\Ir.  Van  \e.ss  was  the  first  named,  and  he  ap- 
J)ear3  in  unenviable  preeminence  on  the  memorials  of  legislative  frailty  in  those  early  times  of  bank  fraiiil. 
f  he  pre.ss  had  e.vposijd  the  legislature — I\Ir.  \  an  Ness  voted  for  a  motioji  to  prosecute  the  editor  of  the  Cit- 
izen for  libel,  which  was  agreed  to,  and  against  another  to  permit  him  on  the  trial  to  givi\  the  truth  in  evi- 
dence, and  il  was  rejecli'd. 

Judae  Van  Ness  and  lOlislia  Williams  were  old  collea^'ues.  gentlemen  of  talent,  perhapa,  but  seemingly 
regardless  of  the  institutions  .■ind  morals  ol  their  couuliy.  I  tliink  il  was  (jovernor  Lewis  who  .■^elected  this 
corrupt  II  ;islaior  as  a  iSupreme  (jourt  judge,  in  Itid'J. 

*  The  extraordinary  failures,  indictments,  and  trials  of  l>'iG-7,  and  the  parts  played  in  them  by  Messrs. 
Butler  and  Barker  ought  to  receive  a  brief  notice  here. 

[I  is  the  interest  of  the  land  owner  and  sleady-goin;;  business-man  and  capitalist,  to  have  the  currency, 
ihe  money  in  circulation,  by  wliicli  hou.ses.  lands,  manufaclures,  labor  A:c.  are  measured,  of  one  real 
substantial,  uniform  value.  When  gandilers  in  the  legislature  are  allowed  to  t.inipc^r  with  the  money  cur- 
rent in  the  country,  they  pursue  their  private  interests  at  tlie  expense  of  the  slate,  which  they  speedily 
throw  into  confusion,  create  innumerable  profitable  jobs  at  every  turn  of  the  dice,  cbamie  liieir  ideal  paper 
shekels  into  the  more  solid  substance  of  laud,  and  l:iiii:h  at  the  (iilly  of  its  ancient  possessors,  in  .allowing 
them  to  do  all  this,  Mr,  Barker,  havin;r,  as  Itu  havs,  nothing  more  to  lose,  entered  Wall  street  as  a 
dealer  in  stocks  and  funds,  scrip  and  hocus  jiociis  :  and  in  September  l^-^'^O  was  indicted  by  a  New  York 
grand  jury,  alom;  \.'ith  Afessr.-..  Mark  Spencer  (who  hail  figured  in  \>'Si,  in  the  Chemical  Bank  atl'airs,)  Ci 
W,  Brown,  and  others,  (iir  conspiring  together  to  swindle  or  defraud  the  Morris  Onal,  Tradesmen's,  and 
Fulton  lianks,  and  the  Life  and  Fire  i;o,,  all  of  that  city.  .After  a  trial  of  twenly-tive  days  the  jury  dis 
.igreed,  a  loltery-ollice  broker,  having,  .is  it  is  stated,  stood  out  for  Barker.  They  were  tried  again  in  llie 
Circuit  Court,  before  Juili-'e  l-Alwards.  in  November,  anil  found  guilty.  Barker  applied  to  the  Supivnio 
Court,  got  a  new  trial,  and  was  mi  the  I'-ilh  of  July,  lS2r,  a  .-ecoi.d  time  lound  guilty,  Mr,  ^laxwell. 
District  Attorney,  did  liis  duty  nobly,  in  behalf  of  the  country — but  what  will  not  money,  parly  influence, 
and  a  bos',,  of  intluenlial  and  learned  counsel  eti'ect  for  a  partisan  stock-jobber,  when  cauglit  as  Barker  was  ! 
The  indictments,  trials,  verdicts,  and  the  expense,  vast  as  that  must  have  been,  ended  in  a  heavier  lax  on 
honest  citizens,  and  Jacob  escaped  llie  State  Prison,  through  the  aid  of  such  a  judiciary  as  Van  Bureu, 
Hoyl,  Blair,  Butler,  and  O'SuUivaii  describe,     I  hope  the  Convention,  in  b'Mt;,  will  purify  it  a  little. 

It  was  ,-lated  on  Barker's  iri.-ils  that  be  bad  lent  tlu' Life  ,ind  Fire  Co.  SKill.lHIO  lo  prevent  it  from  step- 


On  the  7lh 
business  wouli 
aticcessor  of  ] 
sumption  of  p 
took  place  fo: 
expense  of  th 

In  1823,  th: 
Vork  auclionei 
tiie  bank  begai 

ping  payment— an 
which  induced  the 
with  tivo  broken  In 
iii.^  debts?  Barki 
Very  little  by  liim- 
was  for  a  long  limi 
tal  and  enormous  i 
llieiniwi  solemn  ai 
liaiit.  Then  comes 
lionest  corporalior 
Barker  hire  the  mt 
tin:  privileire,  denii 
would  not  do. 

During  his  secoii 
man  of  large  propi 
lie  docs  nut  pay  tlu 
large  contracts— an 
in  August,  I.'i-il, 
From  that  day  to  i 
Jiiiirnal,  or  Ledger- 
each  to  till  thein  up 
assistant,  and  two  ( 
and  during  these  si: 
fail,  Vcrimlyea,  a  d 
ties  .''or  debt's  i.\\m  tl 
dune  ,so  !    This  ,assi 
lent,  when  he  boiigli 
tioas  of  the  bankru] 
W'liild  have  gone  pen 
lies  would  be  delive; 
making  the  most  ol 
consideration  in  the 
They  also  appoint 
this  very  like  Beers 
The  company  hat 
lion  of  dollars,  ruin, 
by  lire  ;  ditto,  risks 
inere  jack-o-lantern  i 
direclors  cashiered,  ( 
debts  contracted,  tlu 
nvx  insiiiution  was  i 
In  M.iy,  \Ai)j,  ,6^5(l,( 
("iiial  stock,  this  agi 
the  3Iercanlile  Comi 
-"1  within  the  gripe 
two  of  the  Fullon  ( 
i'radesnien's  Bank  st 
-mi  shares.     Why  hi 
-Mr,  Leavitt.  now  t 
I'-ini  very  insiiilin^'ri 
peached  himself.  "Fi 
jurors,  was  tried  for  i 
the  Commissioners  h 
cent  on  his  shares,  c< 
wt-re  convicted  with 
privileges." 

I  have  been  thus  |); 
In  Ilia  knoirkilgc,  a; 
iliat  his  Conduct  and 
pired.  i\lr.  Barker  f 
-peech.  to  which  I  sh 
that  bdliinies  the  Iito 
lijet,  or  boiiiid  to  the  I 
the  solemnities  of  till 
newspapers  sjieakin!,' 
the  hall  -it  was  publi 
Mr.  Butler  next  liii; 
A-;,  "  if  you  wished' 
iliicroscope;  but  wile 
laruer  insirument.  U 
ileteudhim  withacle, 
•-i'W  to  !J(U. 


I 


THE  NEW  VORK  FINANCIAL  FRAUDS  OF  1826.  29 

On  tJie  7lh  of  May,  1821,  the  Sandy  Hill  Times  announced,  that  the  bankin.r 
successor  ol  li.  t.  ijutler,  as  cashier,  had  arrived,  and  was  nreparinff  lor  the  rp 
ZkT/"^""""' "'."''"'  P^*^^'""^  '"'-''=^'-"     No  such    esurS   however 
cxlLl'^f'heSl'"^  announcement  was,  itself,  a   new   speLlatlon  ItTe 

Vork-uiciionee'r  ^^is-n^hf  7'  m. Nantucket,  making  interest  to  be  a  New 
.^^ankbiga'to  paVagain"^ra^Sne""°  '^^^^"'^'^  ''''  "  ^  '^^  '^^"^^  ^^  ''«"-' 

With  twu  l.ruk,.,.  iKtnk.  lie,    lo'     s  .k  n^ lomi  ^  v     >e  '^'riinifK,  '/"'if  ."'l^'  T",''''  '"■■  ""   '"■^"'^''^  ''•='""'• 

v.ry  little  by  lm„-thai  hi.  (  i    ke  V)  o   "  ,,u  cm     '  I  v  us  «•  ^( I'l";;  '  t"!'  A'"',  "",  '"^  ■^^'>'-^  '"'  '"^^  "ut 

>^-l  aii'l  o„nm,.,u.s  .'im.H  hen;  (lls,,la v,'l  ef  e  h  >  Ah  .1  \tZ  '  '','  i]"V""  "!  "»r™isli  the  vast  capi- 
ll..Mnu..t  .„le,„„  ami  apparently  sin  ..eollcto^^^  Kark.r  j,„ue.l,  in  Ati^'u^t,  1819,  in 

il.iul.     Tlieii  COMICS  poverty-then  si  K  mi         n,^,^^^^  r  ,  '^''  '"  ''''^  ''"  '''''"•''  *^'^  '•""■«  '""J  "'JUn- 

l."..e.t  r,orporation-fran,r  .ay  u  I  e  I  o  e,^  ,lf "  o  I  f  ^''>'«  «^^'-'""l  "«  I""'  '"  proj.  a  di.s- 
Hiirker  hinl  the  moat  eniii.enl  lawyeri  of  the  i.  ^  iJff  '.^'^  ."';''''  "'",  '■""■','"  '"'""I"  ^"'  ""'y  'H'' 
ll"'  pnvil..e,  denied  to  pooreriS/of  .°,L  ^or^^^^^^^^^  "n  "'""  "I'l'"-";''  ''-V  Hie  jud.e  will, 

would  not  do.  '      ■^I"''"'"'='  "T  niniaelf US  ifhe  had  been  undelujided  by  others— hiit  all 

,.^"11^!^  ':^:;ii^':^  "!^l!I:;^:^:^U«'^j:^^^^,!J^^-l-^.r^-f  •  Jo^op,.  n.  Beer.--^  U  m.  Barker  a 
/<c<te  n./pay //L«ibnt  he  f,  hi  I.     Ihi.  ot  er  e    ^a.^'inntts      ;};  I  ™/"/  ''"^  ^'"'^'^''"-'^  """-'•^  '  '^^^''"^° 

K'nAfenart^'iJ^'^^;K.L;;i^^;'i;;'j!j^';»^;r:!;r;^^'"-^^ 

Jmn-iial,  or  Led-'er— tliev  we're    ill   lr,,,,i,  ^'  ''''•''' ""'ii   '""'' was  written  either  in  Statement  Book 
each  to'mi  then? np  !    '^L  cV^nitmy       1^^  S^^^^  '"^"'"'  ^^'^'>  ""■"^«"  'g«"'"^'  ^2^ 

iL^sistaiit,  aod  two  clerks.     31r  13    L'r  vas'ai  t  le  oVro  lln,^^^         '''"r  '' f  "'.•'"'•>'  "t  S-^-^^^'"  '""re,  also  his 

;•";!  .lurin,  the..e  six  tnonths  tl.e  ,li  -t    ol  vfre     ever  Vuc      1''  Wir"'  T"'^'"  ""'"'■"  ^'"^  ^'''^"''' 

liiil,  Verinilvea,  a  director  and  one  or  two  nfihn  ,   '.-i-  •'»»' ml  led  I     V.  hen  the  concern  was  ready  to 

ti.s  for  debts  due  the  con  ,  y  t  tl^'  t  no  ,  of  «G  Wm'  f'-lf'  '''"  ',''""  ''■'"^''  "'"'  'V""'''^'  '"  ^■'''^"  ''''^'"■ 
'lone  .so  !    Thi.,  a.ssign.ne,  t  wLid  1  ave  SledAI.       :   k  i.  "'    f  ""  ''T>'  "-"m''?  ''""'''  "'^'  "'«>'  had 

lent,  when  he  bo.,?!,?  the  bon.ls  at  a  ' real  I i  c,  ,  1     -.m^  '!    .?;'  '!""^^'-'"  ",'  '/'"  ''7  '^'e  .noney  he  had 

tarns  of  the  bankrupt  concern,  to  use  a.  a  set      ',:.',   H  '''  '""■.?'",».''l/'^'-  ."'I'er  worthless  obliga- 

WH.dd  have  ijoiie  pe.liiiless.  If  by  oV,  der  n  ,1  n'  'w  I  ,  .  X"^  ,'"  '"''^  ''""';■:■  ^^''''''  "^''or  creditors 
lies  ^yo^Ild  be  del  vered  to  bin   at  t   e  f  i     r  ,^  V,    ,  l"  '"  ''^'■'' ''"  ^yp'"  "'■^'  SGl-.lttXI  valno  in  securi- 

niakin-'  the  n.ost  of  the  prefr  en  7    I  i    ^th5 Jicers    „  .^i^^^^  "<         ''•""  '^i'"'^'"''.!'""  '"  I'^^'P'-'^e  for 

cousideralion  in  the  case/     lielieve  that  wh, Venn  '  '"  ""'''"'''  '^e  spoil.     Was  there  no 

^^^;^^^fnl^'^o:^^^:^!A'^r:^^^^  ^-Sent  to  wi.u.  .p  tiie  concern.    I.  not 

li.m  oV  doKl^ulnlnr:;^*:^'  ]Z^;;ZZ  ''"f  ^--vith  a  capital  of  ^lOtVKK),  when  it  (aile.l  for  a  mil- 
l.y  lire  ;  tlitto.'risks  bj  "e  vcW'a  es  ■  tn is  s  we  '  ";■"■"■  1  ^'''"'.''^■';-  '"'^'^^^^ '  'li"".  I"'"*-.  Iron,  danger 
mere  jack-oda  uern  or  will  oVll-wisn  to  d  veiv,  ,h,  ,  ?  "''  i'""""^  '';'""?'='  ''""'■  "'"'  '"«  "'I'"''--  was  a 
ilireclors cashiered,  "Ifice  .  fra  uh  le     1  •  J  yal  n"   m  b^^  7  n  ''','  "f  l>'''""''"^'-"    Books  in  confusion, 

debts  contracted,  tiie  pulilic  |ZI'  i  ^  „  J,  'j'^u'o    K^  k^^^  ^  I'J-bts  bad  vanished,  enormous 

ill-  institution  was  always  borr  w  in    at       ^  ,  r^  .    ,n^  ""'^  ?ii.i.-i;-Im.,  who  kimwiin,-  that  a  lend- 

Canal  stock,  his  a^aiu  wa.  exc  mid  fo^^  rii'  ■?,•  n/'l'>'nv'<><'My  e.xchan;;ed  for  25t)U  shares  of  ^lorris 
the  3Iercanlile  Conniany  that  si    e°,hv   wfs^,^^  Hilton  Bank  stock,  which  weal  into  the  hands  of 

.■"t  within  the  srip  of  fo  ;'s/  Jac  b  fe  ^a',  I  ^-miV'r''^"''"^'-'''^^"''''''  ^^'"^"''  ''"'-  ""-•  ^''^'^'^  ""^'ly 
two  of  the  Fultoi'i  .lireciors,;'  1^       luceine      f        ,;  n^?"^  "","'  ''' ^V-'^y'  i"'"  Brown, 

IVailesnien'sBankstockw-eritra  "ferr  d  to  \  It  I,  ,f  I'f  "'/^';  '"-^  >:''■';";«•  ■»--i'!il.OU(l  value  oi" 
NMsl„ares.     Why  had  he  the^n 'i  '\V|;;\'|i;;\;^J;!;,/,^;',\l\';;';;;f"i-  ^"e  and  tire  bonds,  of  which  Barker  had 

iKMChed  himself     For  Ihu.s  callii  ■    ill  •  V^.v  iV/;!!-  ,  Li  'V''  ?  ""l"'"cli  'n'"-  and  that  he  had  ini- 

.lurors,  was  tried  for  so  I oi  i.^  f    ,  d     i  iiv  1  ,   «,      ^''h''  '"  ''''1  ",'""'  «'""-li''  "eM  lilK^llcl  two  of  the 

the  Commissioners  had  In   en'            ,?    i e^n     L"'^  tr.^o,  11' on  '  ""' '", '"'?,'  ■^'"[■^■"i  '"  ""^  ^•"""^"'  «''""' 

eeut  on  his  shares,  contmlled  the  e lee  iirwdiici         n      '^■'  "' ""';-,"'"'',','"'"'^'-''  '"^  '''" '  l"i'l  """ 

were  ._ted  with  bimseii;  tor  ^'^:::::'.:^'^:^^r;;L;:^icz^^^^ 

io'i/i^i^:;;;;j^£:f  !;^^he"!;tur\;^":t^.oo,i"^  t^*;;;^  r^^  f<=^  ""^  '^'i'"-  "^  ^  '-'^  "^  '-■  -1-11. 

iliid  his  conduct  and  BIr    I     k "f  Ian -naC ntis^  ^.  'Vl '',"    '^^V'^  be.^l   in  America."  in  order 

lured.     Mr,  Barker  pubii.shed  (G  ,u Id   ,    inlei    i      1^^7   ,''  '^  ,1. f    "''"'  ^■'"',"' '""'  ''"■"■, '■'-''  "'='y  ''"  '"'"'■ 
■peech.  to  which  I  shall  now  rell-r        utier    r  n  1 1.    T  :.  '"  "'"' volume,  with  his  Iriend   Butler'.s 

iliat  bdlames  the  ferociou^av'  'e   wl       I  e  ,  ,1,    ^      %'  '"  'V'^''^''^"";  "  *-'"venied  by  ihe  same  spirit 

leet.  or  bound  to  the  blazini,.  ii',f  h;"  d  r   I  ,    v   o      .^,      '  ,     '""""'  '?  '''"  ""'"  "^  "  ^"''-  ^'"'"'^'''^''  ""  ^i'- 

,V.:     '  "if  •  o  \^^  I    7/    "'■''""•  "ii'l  «'.vs  ■■yon  (vill  join  with  me  in  snppilratin"  the  Father  of  I  irdos  •> 

l^iruerinitruinent      U  v^V'^mT^j^  rk      ilH^^^  relations  of  a  planet,  you  will  select  a 

clefeiidbimw-ithaclearcoiscience      *     *     #  T  *****     jeau 

••^■'Wtoau.  ^'<-ai  coiLsci.  nc...     »    »     «     .f.    #    H«  lias  (.yer  been  loimd  faithful  to  bis  trui.t,"     p. 


30  HOW  THE  WASHINGTON  AND  WARREN  BANK  WAS  CHARTERED. 


In  a  letter,  from  New  York,  Marrh  1-2,  1823,  Mr.  Jacob  Riirkor  writes  to  Mr. 
Jesse  Hoyt,  "  I  have  no  now.s  to  tell  you— airi  poor,  out  of  Imsiness,  with  bad 
prospects,  yet  cannot  but  smib^  :it,  the  freaks  of  fortune — money  very  scarce,  stocks 
fallmtr.  .  .  .  VVhat  think  yon  of  th(!  application  for  M'j  T/Wftsmr-rt'.s /7rz«A-.?  I 
feel  an  interest  in  its  f  ivor  on  account  of  Mr.  Worth — yet  I  cannot  helicve  it  will 
Pi'ss.  .  .  .  If  sIk;  [Ross's  ship]  iiocs  the  ronnd.'s  well,  she  will  probably  make 
him  a  preat  voyase  while  I  a  poor  (levari  am  not  makin<r  any  thinfr." 

Deva!,terific,  (lisiilved,  vissii,  proclaine,  co-opperate,  will  show^Mr.  Barker's  way 
of  spelling  certain  words  in  his  auto^naph  letters. 

To  B.  F.  Butler,  Esi/.,  Albany. 

Bank  of  Washine-ton  and  Warren,  Dee.  29,  1826. 
Dear  Sir— This  will  be  handed  yon  by  J.  F.  Shirrill,  who  trees  to  Albany  for 
the  purpose  of  procuring  some  specie.  I  want  $3000,  and  send  you  that  amount 
in  bills.  Mr.  Barker  says  he  has  written  Mr.  Olcott  on  the  subject.  I  should  not 
trouble  you,  but  want  the  business  done  correctly,  and  fear  to  trust  it  alone  with 
Mr.  Shirrill.  I  send  a  draft  for  $3000  ;  which,  if  Mr.  O.  prefers,  vou  will  please 
hand  him— but  1  should  prefer  his  taking  the  notes.  If  you  have  to  give  him  the 
draft  you  will  please  deposit  the  notes  in  the  M.  and  F.  Bank,  to  our  credit,  which 
will  make  a  specie  deposit  of  that  amount  in  Albany. 

Yours  with  esteem,  G.  R.  BARKER,  Cashier. 

How  could  Mr.  Jacob  Barker,  if  he  was  poor,  lend,  in  1825-fi,  immense  sums  of 
money  to  banks  and  insurau-e  companies,  and  lie  honestly  possessed  of  stocks  valued 
at  a  million  of  money  \  If  poor,  in  1822,  how  was  he  able  to  organize  an  associa- 
tion to  control  the  North  River  Bank  ?  If  he  had  means  then,  whv  did  he  not 
redeem  at  par  the  bills  of  the  Washington  and  Warren  Bank,  which'had,  by  the 
dishonest  proceedings  I  have  mentioned,  been  forced  upon  the  public  \  Or,  if  his 
credit  was  mending,  why  did  he  allo\v  four  years  and  a  half  to  elapse  between  the 
failure  and  reopening  of  the  concern  !  Was  not  the  ExehaiKic  Bank,  which  he 
did  not  pretend  to  reinvigorate,  cnoinr/,,  or  must  the  public  bleed  yet  farther  I  Able 
personal,  political,  and  financial  friends — a  long  purse — voUc.nuhss  sainrwhrrc  (not 
among  the  New  Yorkers,  nor  in  the  jury  box,  certainly)— saved  him  from  well 
merited  punishment— and  in  1828  he  set  u|)  for  Senator  for  the  first  district,  puffed 
himself  in  Noah"s  Advocate,  and  finding  that  New  York  had  no  desire  to  benefit 
by  his  senatorial  talents,  prudently  resigned  in  favor  of  his  friend  IT?  the  inventor 
of  the  Tammany  Hall  Bank,  Mr.  Stephen  Allen. 


will  give  Aldi 
highly  respec 
of  some  stocl* 
fmm  the  pecu 
unwise  to  app 
Sherman  will 


Mr.  Filz  Greene  Hallcck  to  Mr.  L.  Hoyt,  at  Allmnij. 

Nkw  York,  May  1,  1829. 
Dear  feiR — I  send  by  the  steamboat  Victory,  which  leaves  here  this  afternoon 
at  5  o'clock,  a  box  containing  bank  notes  addressed  to  George  R.  Barker,  Sandy 
Hill,  which  we  shall  be  much  obliged  by  your  forwarding  to  him  by  the  very  first 
opportunity.  I  wish  you  to  keep  a  memorandum  of  all  the  expenses  you  are  at, 
and  the  various  transactions  you  attend  to,  and  make  suitable  charge  therefor.  It 
is  all  for  account  of  corporations  "  which  have  no  souls,"  whose  stockholders  can- 
not expect  confidential  services  of  this  kind  to  he  performed  without  paying. 

Your  assured  friend, 

F.  G.  HALLECK,  for  Jacob  Barker. 


Jacob  Barker,  New  York,  to  Lorenzo  Hoyt,  Albany. 

New  York,  1st  May,  1830. 
Dear  Sir — You  have  herewith  recommendation  of  sundry  persons  interested  in 
the  Bank  of  Washington  and  Warren.*     If  Mr.  Sherman  should  be  selected,  he 

*  Howfar  Mr.  Jacob  Barker  waa  interested  in  the  original  application  for  n  cliarter  to  ttie  Wasliin'^ton  and 
Warren  Bank-if  at  all- is  not  seiierally  known.  Tlie  hill,  as  it  passe.l  the  Assembly,  appointed  Halaey 
Rniers  acreatnrcof  Mr.  \  an  Biireu's.  and  oiliors,  to  "open  the  books!"  and  disnihute  the  slock.  (Uien 
worth  20  to  2.)  per  cent  prflnnnni,)  anioivj  the  fiithfnl.  Halsev  was  .i  irne  tvpc  of  the  Van  Huivn  jndiciarv 
firit  Judge  {"  ',)  ol  W.inen  County,  and,  no  J.uljt  correctly  de-scribed  on  the  Senate  journal  uf  iUl    a/a 


Mr.  Butler  ah 
Hoyt.  Albi 
of  1846. 

I  think  it  is 
seldom  perceiv 
first  to  lessen  i 
factors." 

vile  char.'iclcr,   "  in 

f'.irs  and  hopes  oi' 

Reixirt,  and  no  don 

Tile  Itesency  !>ei 

decl.iiniio!.'  and  vot 

Four  days  alter,  1 

then  27  inemhers. 

(ihHi)icc  wonid   liav 

rtliy  did  he  ilenv  it 

I'kl  Ruir.Uo  liiink  ! 

Cmiine  of  the  Ar; 

course  of  the  f  mr  d 

"ilhhold,  which  in 

(jiie-i,  reader — giies 

'■  Of  all  inventior 

latino  of  we.allh.  tl 

coiiipiiiies  are  IJA.N 

■■  Tlii;ir  Holes  are 

Govennnent  has  ihi 

'■  II  is  wi'il  knowi 

to  Iviiikiiis  iocorpnr 

it  was.  d.inblless.  til 

rienioiihenes  caui 

He  ciiuld  11(1  lon^'(M-" 

Alheiiiiii  orator,  fall 

have  always  beon  (i| 

to  add,  ••  anil  theivli 

iiitiinalely."  said  Se 

of  a  niitioiial  cnrre.n 

Barker's  \V.  and  W. 

iwrtuer.  ."Mr.  nmler. 

lioji— and  when  it  h; 

tioii  of  a  new  bank 

ianuenre  of  the  inoi 

leii— but  he  oniilied 

loc.ited  up  at  S'andv  : 

The  '■  resior.iiio'ii' 

bill  p.is.^ed  the  Senali 

favor.     Next  came  tl 

aa'iinsl   it.  sent   it  n 

Biiren  below  the  bar 

Mon-  tliev  wheeled  ii, 

The  \V.  and  W.  I);i 

it.'  capacious  vaidls  1 

were  to  be  carried  on 

llie  ilcjcriptive  e|ii.--t 

J'^^r^.O',!;),  were  in  the 

from  that  source  iilon 

Mr.  Barker  dolled 

monger.     After  his  i 

tried,  coavicied,  and 

liav,!  luit  heard.     •■  I 

another,  to  shoot  liiii 

prove  that  Iboii.rh  lie 

."^Ir.  Barker.  Hazan 

Coiiiress  (in-  a  Bank  - 

pamphlet  with  the  s; 

federates  write  in  sect 

distributed." 


VAN  BUREN,  BARKER,  BUTLER  AND  THE  BANK. 


31 


will  give  Alderman  Gideon  Lee  and  John  R.  Hcdley,  Esqs.,  as  securitv-thev  are 
highly  respectab  e  and  responsible  men.  Aldernmn  Lee  is  ^ery  rich  ^Ihe  names 
of  some  stoekholders  have  been  mentione.l,  but  as  a  question  o^'  liab  litv  u '1?'^ 
fr.m  the  peculiar  phrascoloj^y  of  the  act  of  incorporation,  I  tim.k  it  wo4  be  verv 
unwise  to  appoint  any  party  interested,  therefore  I  hope  that  Mr.  Lath  op  or  Mr 
bhorman  will  be  appointed,  or  both  of  them.  -i-ainrop  or  Mr. 

Yours  sincerely,  .JACOB  BARKER. 


CHAPTER   LY. 


■I    Able 


Mr.  Buthr  abandons  Sandy  Hill. 
Ho)jt.     Albany.      Officr  only  fo, 


Ifrmzo  Uoyl'a  morals.     Poverty  of  the  brothers 
IhirUaih.      War  fo  be  avoided.     The  Convention 


I  think  it  IS  Do  Relzvvho  tells  us  that  "those  thut  are  jruilty  of  in-ratitude 
_elom  perceive  it,  because  the  same  inclination  that  leads  them  t^o  h,  Kiem 
jir^lU.  lessen  in  their  thoughts,  the  obligations  they  have  received  from  thdr  bene. 

Kepon,  iiml  iiiMlnubl  inilv  i'  ,i--<iJii'it,     aiiU  lioiii      the  liiuul  aiid  dcsperale."     So  s.iilli  Sudam'3 

,!e?u,!l:;;rnuln^,±^u;!^  't^ll^^ ^^^  ''^"'^^-^  ->'>  '-  l-.th.T.in.law  Buren  both 
thea'ir'Iilemhl'r';'''  Tr'u,'-''  [ff  """■^''' '"  '^'■*'"''-  tl,<«  IjiH-this  roq„iro,l  tw„.thi,-,l.  oftho  Senate  wl.ich  h-.d 

"W  Bmlaln  liai.li  ;     Are  nrit   IS    w  ,    hi,         f  -^7-  v-      '        1  ?""''  ";''','/>«,''f  "/IV"  voted  hut  for  the 

C:nuiae  of  the  Arjos.  another.'     \  Vi      lor    of  ,n- /  » Vt  .^^^^^  1       "      "r  ""-"  ^V     ^y-"""  '""  '>'*•  '■'^lal'^e. 
nHirse  of  the  lour  .lay.  with  a  coo,  e    f  ,  ,0  ey  1,  -h^        w.^  ':" L    nv!'i''  f''''''"    "'  ^''-'f  ''''"''  "-^'-'''  '"  '^^ 

i.  -H.  .I„,,hth..'  the  .eaeral  .eoth.;;:,ai;a!;^';,e,n!,cra,-v  of  ri;;:'!^;^!''!:^'''^  l^^"  '"  ^""  -'"''-"'. -'^ 

;?r;:S;;;;:;rr:?S"^.;f;;:.;'Sr  5  r^: "  Jffr^^ 

Barker'.  W,  and  W.  Bank^  receivi    "a  uew  |,'l      v  i  l  ^i     .^  ,''''  "'""';.'""   "'^^'»-<'  t"  I'fe  Jacob 

i^o;:-a]\^h!^rirL:;H:£;ri-LfH :  r 

hinpa.:e;uhrseiK;;:;:^.;':L''with;!„t'^n'o;;L  '^"™,'^-  ^i-oop-.  Aub„r„  Bank 

fi>vor.     Next  ca.ne  tlte  «na     m;^  ™        1  e  u' '     J  V  Or^^'il  tT^^llTh  "«"  "I'"  A""^'f  tf  '^'''"=  '"  "« 
M-v  thry  wheeled  ioto  line  and  vot,  ,1  ,,'  np  t^ni  '    '"''  '"'^^  '^  •""^•"  "^  ""■"•  ''-■''''«'"='  bidding  on  tlie  24th; 

i.s';^;p:)cio;;stanit^u;'::ll,i'o;:;t\i'^;;^onH;:;^         ?,""•■"•"  •""  ^'-i^t-'".'-  had  paid  mto 

m'  ™r   '^'f^f'h!^''lnsol^!';:^S:f^V:i;ii'';y'';,  ""i  'r"  ";"!  ^"'"  ^'^^  '''^^i''"'  ""•  i"  l^^^,  and  mmed  a,nd. 

i:^:-;!^n;;n;S-''i?f'''f"^^"'-'^ 

llr   ii.,,.1.  .    11         i'"_..t.„  K3  noi  i.M  ..n.i.in.i.  P.  n- :i.!hfi'rt  lit  the  L'hadow." 

pamphlet  with  the  satne  proposal-only  the  stock  t.  he  roClio",'    He  lavs  nuhUciv  wh.V  hh"'"  ^ 
d^ft"Ced""'  '"  """-"  "^^  "^"'  '^  ^  «°^«^'""-'  ^  e-='  Paper^nk"  th;"toc']c"';'i1,^  .^^''u'^  p';^p^erly 


32 


TJIK  YOIJNO  JKSUIT — THE  I,AW — ALHANV. 


Ijohmizo  Ildyt,  wlmm  tlit!  |ii(iu«  Mr.  Uiillcr  IkkI  instructoil  in  tlio  niystories  of  law, 
rnlifridii,  and  (in:iric(!,  was  a  law  pupil  of  tlii!  firm  of  Van  MiiriMi  and  Hiitlor,  and,  as 
till!  latter  Icll.s  iis,  "  a  very  line  yontli."  'I'lie  priiiciplo  ho  avows  to  his  lirotlicr 
.lcsK(\  withoiii  any  apcdoyy,  in  liis  letter  of  Marrli  7,  IH:,'|,  that  any  lliinn  he  eoujd 
do  to  liie  |)rejiidice  of  liin  l)enefa('tor,  Mr.  Ijivin^slon,  and  Ins  own  henelit,  was  jiisti- 
liaMe,  provided  lii.s  treaeiiery  was  not  found  otit,  is  as  had  as  any  Ihinj;  wo  have 
heard  ascrilurd  to  the  daiiireroiis  order  of  .lesuit.s.  Ili.s  tf^aeln^rs  must  have  hcen 
Moniewhal  ncM^leetful  of  his  morals.  Mr.  \,.  had  no  idea  that  younjf  Jloyt  was  Iry- 
inp  to  supplant  him.  On  tin;  ;id  of  .lamiary  1H02,  ho  thus  wrote  his  hrotlier  ; — 
"  Sutherland  in  caneus  says  that  when  lie,  t(dd  liorenzo  that  I  had  tlio  nomination, 
fof  ('lerk  of  Asse,mhly,|  ili.it  Lorenzo  jumiied  up  two  fi'ei  at  least.  'I'liis  hespeaks 
aiiimaiioii.  I  am  miieli  pleased  with  l,oren/o,  and  his  situation  will  improve  very 
imicdi  under  the  tuition  of  Scorer  the  Deputy." 

'I'lie  situation  of  the  lirolliers  jioyt  at  this  time,  was  unenviahly  poor,  and  jierhapa 
it  would  have  heeii  heller  for  society  th;il  it  had  remained  so.  Mr.  lloyt's  cruel, 
vioi(Mis,  prolliffato,  and  perseciitinir  career  as  Collector  of  the  ('usloms  for  the  port 
of  N(!W  Vork,  wa.s  at  this  pi^riod  of  his  life  not  even  dreanil  of.  ilo  was  a  mere 
adviMituror,  who  was  ready  to  i)erform  tin;  services  Mr.  A'an  ihiron  rciiiiircd,  in  the 
lio])e  of  olitainiiii;  otliei'  and  its  einolumenls  ihrou^ih  his  inlhionce,  and  his  career 
was  for  a  time  successful.  Mr.  l,ivinc;stoirs  unsuccessful  c^tliirt  to  make  Mr.  H.  U. 
Ward,  the  law  |)artner  of  .li'ssc;  lloyt,  a  master  in  chaiicory,  hecauso  he  had  not 
been  lonjj;  ciiougli  a  hucktail,  will  show  how  allairs  went  at  Albany,  better  than  a 
labored  essay. 

Mr.   Ihitlrr  lo  Mr.  Iloyl. 

Aldany,  July  10,  1820. 

Dkaii  FiiiUNii,  #  «  #  ♦  *  \y^,  .^,.(,  l)oardiiirr  at  Mr.  Jones,'  directly  oppo- 
site our  ollice,  ((iilberl  Stewart's  house,)  where  wo  have  very  ])leasant  lodgings 
Our  departure,  from  Sandy  Hill  was  so  sudden,  that  we  left  all  our  furniture  in  tlio 
house,  and  for  the  present  shall  conlinue  to  board  out. 

As  to  husiness,  1  have  enough  to  kee|)  ine,  very  busy — chiefly  in  Chancery — old 
and  new.  It  would  be  well  enough  w(!re  it  not  so  long  before  the  cash  was  realized. 
Hut  it  must  come  some  day  or  other.  I  think  my  expectations  will  not  be  disap- 
jiomled.  At  all  events,  as  I  lold  you  before,  I  am  for  the  Law  and  nothing  else — 
and  [  regret  now  that  Mv.  A  an  Huron  ever  thought  of  leaving  his  profession,  which 
you  know  was  what  put  it  into  my  head  to  leave  him.  1  think  I  siiall  make  my 
»lt>biit  at  .Vugust  term  in  tlie  argument  of  some  motions  and  cases.  Though  as  to 
the  last  I  am  rather  sipieamish.  I\lr.  \ .  H.  is  certainly  very  desirous  lo  assist  me. 
Jle  has  sev(n"il  heavy  causes  in  wiiieh  he  insists  on  my  speaking. 

I  liki!  Alhany  aliout  as  little  as  yon  do — and,  villi  the  rxrcpt  on,  of  n  few  ■prrsom 
ir/io  an-  iror/hi/  of  i-s/niii,  have  very  little  to  say  to  the  goodlv  iniiahilants  of  this 
renowned  metropolis.  I  think  the  eastern  junto  tlu^  most  disagreeable  jiart  of  them. 
'I'liey  are  generally  bigots  in  politics,  imd  rrry  full  of  prijuduc  and  run/. 

jjorenzo  is  a  very  fine  youth.  I  have  got  him  at  the  Latin  Grammar,  in  which 
he  makes  uderablo  progress.  I  shall  pay  ])avticular  attention  to  him.  1  have  paid 
$  l.'Jo  f(U-  the  order  to  the  Register,  so  that  you  owe  me  25  cents.  My  compli- 
iiienls  to  Mr.  Harker,  iVi-. 

Yours  truly,  15.  F.  BUTLER. 


Post  mark,  Albany,  Mar.  8. 
Mr.  r.onnto  ffoi/f /o  lu.t /irotlur  Jr.tsr,  at  \0  Wall  .ftrrrt,  Nrw  Yorli. 

Alranv,  March  7,  1824,  Sunday  evening. 
Deau  HiuiriiKU  : — Yours  of  the  Itli  came  duly  to  hand.  The  substance  of  it  1 
had  anticipated,  as  I  saw  a  letter  that  Mr.  Tboiniison  received  from  you  while  here, 
in  which  you  spoke  very  discouragingly  as  to  the  result  of  your  application  to  the 
(\irpovatiou.  luu  as  T  had  not  heard  iVoiii  you  since,  1  had  not  eiilirelv  despaired 
until  1  received  your  last.  It  is  now,  I  suppose,  known  to  a  certainty  that  you 
cannot  succeed  in  getting  the  oJlice  you  sought.     If  a  person  has  nothing  else  to 


drpeiid  upon 
atioiis  of  pari 
//()(//■  ,'^irrirr.^ 
siiiiir  li/Zli:  ofl'i 
jiears  that  the 
variance.  VV 
long  as  wo  n 
in  till!  next  III 
a  little,  vvliich 
us  I  should  n( 
1  understoo 
be  up  again  h 

/////(  (ihnii/  flid 
I'm nil.1,  nii/sil) 
DICK  OF  LI 
FKKFKCTJ. 
Jli')  DOES  JV 

i  think,  and 
Legislature  ad 
where  else  aiK 
order  of  tin-  di 
nientioii  I'ticii 
and  iinproveiiii 
lioiisi.'s  at  the 
th(!  summer  2( 
is  dec'idedly  fo 
feel  very  muef 
going  somewli 
give  me  ;iiiy  in 
lie  is  constant!' 

The  Senate' 
THR  POOK  Tin: 
been  almost  vc 
as  often  as  pos 


Extracts  froi 
21th,  182:!.—" 
siller  beyond  ( 
ofcvrry  prinrip 
thi'  that  a  man 

If  hy  any  ens 
ohidin  a  sihi(i/io 

I'Lxtract  of  a 
dated  Albany,  i 
company  you  t(_ 
than  once,  1  be 
shall  linrc  a  cas 
jauiii  of  plcasim 


Jesse  Iloyt,  Esr 

;in  Examiner  in 
iJI.CKTAIL  T, 
'■■ivur ;    I  thereA 


*  Slraiiffp  (Jortrine 
hr.cj  in  CaldL-r  Qiiiip 


MORALS  OF    h.  HOYT— N-0  HUCKTAFL  NO  BERTH  !  33 

=.  ;^vr  "*'■'- ""'-:-■' "=^^^    s:*  E"  ^ 

I  understood  Mr.  TluiiiiDKon    '    'lilnl-     Wit, 

iiiifpfiiiiii 

i  tim.k,  and  hiivo  thouffl.t   till    winter,   that  it   wonld  l.c  best  lor  mo    .,ri,.r  ,l,„ 
am    iiiiDrdvi'Kwii.i       M,.    I         1  1  ^'<-'u  oi'n  (.  ift  J  iidvc  m  \i('\v,  ceoiKunv 

mmmmmm 

po.nrr  .son.ouhoro  in  th..  Wostorn   conntrV  to  sell,     n  ml  1  IT^  '  ""*'  ''' 

jr.ve  me  any  instrwlion  ,n  „,v  ^tndieri  f  I^t  ,v      m!-        ,,le,  iT-  •'f'""  '° 

li.;;s  eonstantly  en^a^ed  in  Ins  own  bJliJcS^'       ^"  ^^"^'"  ''""""'  ''^  '''  '"'^'^"^'^ 

TH    ^oo'THive'lUSve:  'I'T'  'f  *""7'-"";  ^"'^   ""  '^-'" -i"  '-a,  it  as 

been,alnl™:^d  S"mr;or^.     'is:  ro^lle^^^^vL^         r"'/;"     ^  ''=^^^ 
as  often  as  possible.    'My  love  to  all  ^       """''^  ''''''''  '"^ 

lours  affectionately,  L.  HOYT 

Lxtraet  ol  a  letter,  Lorenzo  I  Toy  t,  at  Albany,  to  Jesse  liis  brother   in  N    York 


r        IT     .  -r,  JPostmark  Albany,  March  26,  182— .1 

Jesse  Iloyt,  Esq     40  Wall  street,  New' York.     Mo'nday  evening. 

in  Vx-orv,-        •     <  .f ^''  •'^"yt'— I  ^^''S  unable  to  procure  the  annointment  of  W-ird  a<i 

K?KKiI"  OXc'?^^C^/V^'r^'  '''  {'"'  HE  iliD  ?;OT  BlS  A 
f,vnr  t7i  i  V  ^^^OUGH,  and  they  would  not  let  your  merits  count  in  his 
^nor  ,    I  therelore  changed  my  ground,  and  had  you  apposed.     I  hope  thisw^n 


5 


Aor  111  the  eyes,  nnr  from  the  words  of  man 
Hope  thou  to  read  their  hearts.  All  are  alika 
ine  hypocrites  of  circumstance  " 


34 


/\  ACMAN  IN  THE  CAMP — A  SUPPLE  COURTIER. 


he  jTrntofuI  to  yon,  mid  my  frinid  Ward.  Let  Ward  act  as  yoiir  sworn  clrrk.  It 
is  xiiiijxjscd  tilt;  Icirishiliirt.'  will  ad()iirn  nhout  llii;  Knii  of  April;  the  i-ddiii-r  ihe 
lititlcr.  Jui-ry  tliiiiL'  in  the  jdliliial  way  pots  (n  Miirollily.  ^diii:}/  l(  (iks  a«  it  ho 
had  liciMi  hied  ;  1  Ircl  sorry  lor  iii.Micci  ^stlll  ciiiididatt  s.  J  ihii.k  iii  this  Mate  we 
oiilIiI  lo  have  a,  };(  euliai  )  rayer  hir  s-iicii  pi  o]  ie,  and  i  siucialiy  oi.c  in  tin  L'(  iiiimn 
Prayer  Utok.  1  bhali  buuii  have  the  j  ieus-ure  ol  beeiiig  yen.  Write  me  a  long 
Idler. 

(In  haste,)         Yoiir's  sincerely,  E.  LIMNGSTON. 


I  hear  iniieh  said  in  f'onprcss.  the  Newspaper?;,  jirivnte  cireles.  &c.,  about  going 
to  w;ir  I'nr  Oregon,  lor  'J'exas,  lor  Cai,;  da.  lor  M(  ,\i(o.  lor  enr  rifhl?.  and  i-o  leilh 
— and  there  was  a  lime  when  1  did  not  dread  war.  JJul  Avhen  1  h  ek  at  the  .'■ec- 
ces.-lul  eliorts  ol' sneli  men  as  ]  am  deterdiing  in  this  vohime,  to  roniipl  the  wh(.ie 
iiiai-s  of  bdciety,  to  snlistitute  tlie  machinery  ],ie)('ll(d  hy  a  band  «i'  coNetdns,  nn- 
prii:cipled  tactions  politicians,  lor  liie  iieahlilul  infnen.ces  of  our  iiee,  c]ecti\e 
instiliitidns  ;  I  trenihle  lest  their  j'ower  over  llie  pnblie  jief-s  ai;d  otlier  !)])  !'i:i  res 
should  hasten  the  rnioii  into  a  war.  It  is  reCdim  at  lu  nie,  e(;nal  laws,  and  laiihlnl 
public  stewards  that  America  reiiuires.  It  is  eiu  mies  wiililu  that  our  toi.ntiy 
should  set  about  subduing,  far  more  than  enemies  witluiUt. 

War  is  a  nreat  burlhen  to  a  country,  but  it  is  doubly  so  when  bad  men  bear  rule. 
Well  may  Americans  now  say,  as  Joshua,  by  tiie  C(ri  niard  ol'  (Jed,  s-aid  to  Israel 
oi(dd,  "  T/urr  is  an  acurscd  thing  in  the  midst  df  tiiee,  O  Israel ;  thou  canst  i:ot 
stand  before  thine  enemies,  until  ye  take  away  the  acctirsed  thing  from  annoi  g 
you."  Gentle  and  courteous  reader,  do  not  these  pages,  alas  !  too  clearly  jnove, 
that'there  is  also  an  Athcn  in  the  democratic  camp! 

Let  him  be  tried  at  the  Convention  of  Ib-Jfi,  and  there  receive  the  rcwaid  of  a 
troubler  of  our  Israel. 


CHAPTER  X. 


Party  Mnncgrmrnt.  Origin  of  the  frimdKfnp  of  Messrs.  Iloyt  nvd  Van  Bvnn. 
\\ /iij  Mr.  Hoyt  got  the  N.  Y.  Cul/frlor.s/np.  Mr.  V.  B.  oir/nrsfs  /lis  J) i( /id's 
pf'jnr — sivds  J(ssc  to  colhii  dills.  Mi/hr's  likl  svU  agonist  Aiafi,  ul.o  i£(rs  to 
(jVit  t/it  s/.ip,  '■'■for  a  lonsidircticn.'"  K(i]l:lali  riiill.j.s.  Ihs  sun  i7ilrvivi<d  ly 
]Soah,aiid  pruvis  a  difavitir  for  $0(.0,tOO.  ^^  ^■troy  slidji,"  gocdtd  ly  tliiir 
constitvints.  Bvthr  gins  J\'oa/i  /lis  ivr,  via  Hoyt, — "  l/ic  o/d forms  cud  islll.lisldd 
vsngrs," — BviLtuil  organization  in  A.  Y.  More  liivts  to  'S'vi:li,uhu  dnyclilus 
Naplitali  Phillips  to  Albany.  More  patronage.  Confidinticl  Ipistics  ly  Mr.  ]an 
Bur  en. 

"  What  can  I  do  for  you  ?"  said  Mr.  Pitt  one  morning,  when  first  minister  of 
England,  ta  one  of  his  most  devoted  and  obsequious  dependents.  "  Onlv  Low  lo 
wie  when  we  meet  in  public,"  was  tlic  sagacious  reply.  It  would  increase  his 
infinence  with  the  public  to  have  them  believe  that  he  was  on  terms  of  intimacy 
with  the  premier. 

j\Ir.  Jesse  Iloyt  well  understood  the  value  of  such  coiuiectiens,  but  he  carried 
matters  farther  than  a  bow  in  public,  and  made  himself  as  necessary  to  Mr.  A  an 
Buren  and  his  son,  the  present  Attorney  General,  as  he  had  been  to  President 
Butler  during  his  engagement  to  Jacob  Barker  at  Sandy  Hill.  Mr.  M.  A'an  Buren 
is  very  penurious  and  covetous — Jesse  would  run  all  over  New  York  to  recover  S.') 
or  $  10,  which  his  late  einployer  had  reluctantly  lent  to  some  poor  fellow  when  in 
trouble — would  hire  lodgings  for  him  on  terms  of  economy — would  see  to  the 
washing  of  his  clothes — the  buying  of  his  wines  and  groceries,  or  the  stopping  er 
getting  subscriptions  for  his  newspapers.  .Tohn  Van  Buren  bets,  gambles,  specu- 
lates in  the  stocks — in  all  this  Jesse  has  been  his  humble  slave.  He  electioneered, 
voted,  betted. schemed,  ran,  stood,  fetched  or  carried,  to  order — was  '  more  banks' 
or  sub-treasury,  Crawford  or  Jackson,  Rufus  King  and  negro  freedom  or  "  to  jail 
witli  the  missionaries,"  just  as  bis  patrons  gave  the  signal.    His  object  was  pelf 


and  power— 
r.'fi)rin  of  at 
and  endurinj 
tln'T  writing 
When  Mr 
of  thousands 
with  his  bro 
Sw  irtwout  8 
chants  for  thi 
of  an  indnpe 
country  loolti 

tll'>   SLll'lllillg  I 

Albany  Even 

"  The  peop 
Jes.-e  Moyf  as 
till!  advice  of 
Win  ocprwhd, 
ri'sp  msi'ile  tn, 
for  till!  otficp, 
de.'iciiuKaes  of 
wim  iiliiiosi  an 
exercise  (f  his 

In  the  same 
Explosion,"  ' 

"  It  in:iy  1)0 

!li:i(  It  uo'nld  I 

a  niiiKid  sp'ii' 

th  111  .Iks.sk  H( 

IJiit  the  Adii 

ill  lino.      Tlie  \ 

D(!|iosilcd  to  tl 

Ml.  .lesse  Hoy 

liiilled  lo  kee'p 

ill  di'posiie  lo  \ 

Wi;   .iiiid    his: 

Iif'iird    ol'  prol'i: 

i<.r.  wlioii  el  ,se 

that  llie  iiionev 

Olloiul  liril,  Slo, 

of  till!    moiiey 

piMidcil    (oiiii|ti 

lii'iirlit,   mid  \s  (; 

Jil'H  K.\  li;i(l  I)C( 

'  fud  would  h  u 

liii!  w  lii'c  by 

too  iimcli  .iliiu 

Viin   Hinenisin 

f^iili'niiiity    of  a 

Hoyt  jio  (Hit  Id 

the  vitjtiiii  of  llu 

Mr.  Van  Bur 
as  early  as  182" 
not  quite  so  cer 

Washington, 
DORSEMENT 

rrinrnn    So,     f   Hj 

C'A.SE,    HOW] 
you  all  sorts  of 


RODBEBS  IK  THE  STROM  BOX— TIIRin  SLEEPfSO  PABTSEBS.  35 

U       Mjl  porvc,_,hrir8  pmvcr  .n,l    pi.|f_|,(,iri„,i,m,  il,,,  ,v,.||arc  „f  li.e  million,    iFm 

ch,„u,w  ,h.  p„bi»  „.„_„,,,„,,;  h:;;^';1;;S  :;;;,=^^^^^^ 

.1  111  iiiuH    burpris".      1  he  lollowing  corrcsnoiw  (>iicp  viill  ..v.,i.,ir. 

..Ti  ,   "  ^"'""y  Evenin?  Journnl,  Wednosdav,  Mnv  1,  1843 

:t:  .";v:/:'::rl;;rL^^;w;  r  ::s  "^,:;;'pii"V':r  ^^'■''  '^t  '^"  "'""^^^ 

for  th.i  otH.:o.  wlii,h  in  Mr   V,.    IW,  C     .•      .        •     I'^'d  one  poculiiir  .|m;.I,H,  Hii„a 
uv,,  ,,/.,as7  .„,/■,/      77.  .V   '•  KoW-  /  1"""''' "'"'  "''"t;''''^'  '"'''■"''"'  "'"""-''■.  /'« 

ti^;;';  «:n;ld\::'::t;,';;;!^:;;:!:'i';::  ^;[:;i;;y::-  -p'-r'^v  -  -nn.red  to  p,edict 
i.'d  of;tn;-i^:^::'u::,';^:,l,"z?K:S';;::  :rn  f"i:""v^r^'^^ - 

tii.t  the  money  «l,i..|.  V,n.  liuieni.n.  sc,-nt,.„.,   lino,,   'd,  r    U        r    I       ,        r'"''  """' 
ol   the    money  witlih.^ld  l)v  Mr    IIoyt  „.>  n       'Vf     "••  '"'"'^^  "'"t  "  '•".i:"   P'opoMioii 

V..n   H.,renisM,   flirkers  in  L  soclu-t,  e,,"  U,e  H  'p  ol^  '  '  l'',''''     ^^"V"'"'"' 

-l-rnnity    of.,    Ren,ovnl,is  en.u.e,     i.H„V    be   Pen    e  '        r    -i    'v""  'W  "'"   "'"''j 
tho  vi.:,iu.  of  ll,e~fornieV:"  '  ^-    '••""'"^'"'—tl.e  luuer,  in  our  jud.M.euf. 

Senator  Van  Burnn  to  Mr.  Jrssc  Ilovt,  at  N.  Y 

CASE,-  HC^WEVEkr'K^  nSJ  ^^^,^t  S^'^i/J^--  - '^'".     V()KU 
you  all  sorts  ol'  happ.ness,  I  remain  yoursincere  InL"  ^  ^""^ '     ^^  "'""^ 

M.  V.  BUREN. 


36 


VAN  BUnEN  S  I,ETTEUS — MILLER  VS.  NOAH. 


WaMhinalon,  FpI).  3,  18'J7.— My  l>ar  8ir.— This  will  be  liniulcd  to  you  by  Mr. 
Davis,  iiiTfiil  ot'  lilt!  rdiKir  dl'  tin-  National  'i'clfyra|ili,  who  visiin  our  (Slate  to  ob- 
tain subscribers  lor  llial  painr.  Any  as.si«tauco  you  cuii  uivr  liini  in  promoting  his 
object  will  bu  gratefully  renienibered  I y  lliv  nlilur,  and  oblijre 

Your  Irierul  M.  V.  IM'IIEN. 

Albany,  Juno  2d,  18-22.  Dear  Sir — I  wish  you  would  pay  my  o/(/ /V(n(^/ Mr. 
Caller  what  I  owe  lum,  tiiiil  fis/.  luni  to  </i.sriiii/iinir  /us  frnpir.  It  i.s  rsNtCKSsAUY 
TO  SAY  //('//  I  out  iriJIiKiinil  in  this  .loli/i/  l,ij  a  ma  sail  i/  I't  <  urlail  Jill/  tJpiTiSts  of  that 
descriiJti(Ui,  wlucli  are  loo  heavy. 

Y.Mir  friend,  M.  V.   lU'UBIN. 

Attorney  General  Van  Hiiren  lo  Mr.  .fe.-se  Ifoyl.  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir — .lu.st  as  1  was  fjoinir  iVom  TSew  York,  Aliialiaui  1*.  ^'aii  S who  is 

a  elerk  in  Jneob  I.  barker's  store,  .lafi  Pearl  Street,  a  lu'idiew  of  Jidin  ('.  If , 

Esq.,  bcnrowed  $  10  of  me,  under  a  promise  to  send  it  up,  wliieb  lie  has  not  done  ; 
and,  from  what  Mr.  ]lo[reboom  lells  me,  1  apprehend  he  did  not  intend  lo  do  it.  I 
■wish  you  would  see  liini  and  make  him  pay  it  lo  ynu.  Ask  the  Secretary  about 
the  enclosed.     1  have  never  In  aril  any  tiling  about  it  since  1  paid  mv  J"!  10, 

Your  friend  M.  VAN   IJt'H  KN, 

June  -Jl,  1820. 

The  same  lo  llio  same.     Dale  and  jdace  lorn  oil'. 

"I   am  afraid  you  will  beirin  lo  think  me  a  very  troublesome  friend — but  I 

AM  COiXSTANTLY   THK  AK'TIM   OF  IMPOSlTTdN— that  man  Plimpton 

who  own  the  Abu/ira,  POHKOWKD  FIVE  DOLLARS  of  me,  when  he  went 

oir,  under  a  promis(!  lo  send  it  up.     If  you  would  happen  lo  fall  in  uiili  liim  1  wish 

you  would him — lie  is  a  irnu-eless  doy.    It  would  incommode  nie  very  much  if  1 

slunild  not  have  my  carriage  next  week.  The  (loveriun-  is  to  he  (jualifird  to  day, 
but  Albany  is  as  ([uiet  as  a  Church.  It  is  said  that  ellbrls  have  been  made  lo  raise 
the  wind,  but  in  vain.  Mr.  Clinton  is  universally  considered  here  as  politically 
defunct.  I  will  believe  that  there  is  nolhiuif  in  the  story  I  heard  in  Pbiladeli.hia 
[a  part  is  torn  off]  out  of  courtesy,  and  will  want  tlicm.  I  go  frum  hvvcv  in  a  few 
days.  '^M.  Y.  BLREN." 

[The  letter  and  sig-nalure  are  in  llie  band  wrilinn-  of  Mr.  Y.  Btiren.  and  so  is  the 
postscript — "  Mr.  Iloyt  will  oblifro  uie  by  ])resentiiijr  the  above  to  iMr.  IJeekman 
[or  it  may  be  Buckner]  and  transmitting  me  the  money." 

Nov.  It,  18-22.  Dear  Sir — Why  did  T  not  sec  more  of  you  at  New  York' 
Judge  Skinner,  General  Marcy  and  myself  will  come  down  with  Saturday's  boat, 
and  wish  you  to  engage  rooms  for  us  at  the  Mechanics'  Hall.  II' he  can  give  us 
his  little  parlor  for  a  silling  room  and  bed  rotuus,  it  will  be  well ;  if  not  any  oilier 
good  rooms  will  do,  so  that  they  be  not  loo  high.  I  wmild  rather  stay  on  board  a 
vessel  than  go  into  bis  third  heavens.  If  you  cannot  do  beller  you  may  let  Gen- 
eral Marcy's  room  be  on  high,  and  he  can  have  the  use  of  my  room  lo  do  his  bus- 
iness in,  &c. 

Li  haste,  your  friend,  M.  Y.  BUREN. 

[Post  mark  Albany.]— IMarch  17,  1820.— My  Dear  Sir— I  will  be  in  New  York 
on  Friday,  and  wish  you  to  lake  lodgings  for  liie  at  the  City  Hotel. 

Yours,  M.  V.  B. 

It  would  seem  that  no  Regency  Governor  could  visit  New  York,  until  Jesse  had 
prepared  the  way.  In  IMay  Otli  he  had  another  epistle  from  another  Governor— 
"  Dear  Sir,  I  shall  take  the  steam  boat  next  Tuesday  morning,  and  reach  New 
York  in  the  evening.  You  will  confer  another  favor  upon  me,  if  you  will  mention 
it  to  Mr.  Jennings,  that  he  may  provide  rooms  for  me.  E.  H'.  THROOP." 

Sylvanus  Miller.  Surrogate  of  New  York,  brought  an  nctinn  for  libel  ogninst 
Mordecai  Manuel  Noah,  editor  of  the  National  Advocate,  which  was  tried  before 
Judge  Betls,  m  the  City  Hall,  New  York,  on  Friday,  Dec.  12,  1823,  and  of  which 


reports  are  on  i 

liiter  sent  by  '. 

Iiriiig  an  old  p; 

njd    hack — but 

IMildic  and  priv 

|.niiiiiced    a   lei 

l->--'l,  eliarginjc 

p:iriy,    lor  .•§;  7( 

Cliiitoirs  frieiu! 

;iiid  called  wiln 

Dr.  Secor  t( 

him — said  he  s 

Cliiildii,  that   tl 

lliMt  be  wished 

uhi'ii  he  applie 

Mr.  CliiiltMi's  f 

I'Mses — put  his 

Cliiiloii,  would 

.Noah's  [iroposa 

|i:iper  returned 

Dr.  Secor,  and  \ 

at  another  time. 

and  active  politi 

Mr.  Noah  wa 

As   far   back 

well   understood 

liiMi  in  all  the 

his  superior  in  t 

tcr  of  a  ciu-rupt 

iiis  wages  and   r 

to  limi  what  cou 

Miv  always  in  th 

lor  money  or  foi 

aide  to  oiler  an  t 

of  veracity,  havi 

l)e^rs  to  Mr.  Noti 

Mr.  Van  Buniii 

'oirdon  Ueunett, 

i':ir  to  oblige  his 

.Mr.  N'oah  is  a 

U'lio  now  is,  and 

iriiise  of  an  Inspi 

character  we  tak( 

the   hand   of  Coj 

(jeiieral  Jackson. 

"The  paper  cal 
(ho  atfaiis  of  Peni 
,'i"'  corrnptiiis-  put 
iloes  not  feel'di.-pf 
himself  to  the  unj 
reiisons  which  lie  i 
to  bestow  on  hiiii . 

_  Mr.  Van  Burci 
!ollowers,  with  th 
'Wilt,  the  people  : 
Under  the  editi 
stated,  that  the  S( 
"out  suit,)  says, 
?ate  the  affairs  o 


NOAH's  manual  EXERCrSE— NAPHTAM   PHir.MrS. 


37 


P^iiy.   (or  $7»lO(),  almiul..,,   his  pres-s  and  m  ii    \.  1  V    l  '"""•<  l"'>onian 

Cliiitoirs  fri.mls  roifetcl  his  ( (liT      Mr   M  •7*'^^-  ^/"k,  an.i  Hiain^r  that  Mr, 

ni.Uon.that   the   ali:,     Ir     ^^  '"'^''''y   r.-sp.cto.l  Gov. 

uh-  h..  appiH.,1  ,;!r  a:o£'„.lw  ;;.;,';        1    li"";'.!  '"?'  '"■"•"'"''  ^"'" 

i::-'s-,.ut  in.  propoj:ri;:  i""Jt!.::',r";t;i ;;:'.'';  '"'^  •i7'r';''"r 

'  liiiloii,  would  make  no  r.led.r,.    I,,:,  ,n,  •'•■"1  \\li..t  lir  could  do  tor  Mr. 

X.Kd,',s  proposal   wi.  h,     I  r  .;,  •     .   "!'.v  """"  "  '""■•^'  '»•  •^•"''  '•"«'•     Mr. 

I''-.  Seror,  an.!  Noal.  tncd    o  Jh  w       '^     ,'  '" '•""•"'•"rat.on  of  ,he  evidence  of 

^"  ='""""■'•  tiiu...     1- .      iur    a  r  o  d   H  ,       ,     m      '',"•'  ^^'^•'■''/^"''"'"  representation 

linn  in  all   the   prolli.ratT    Ir      oener  I  v         '       .  'T''"''','"  ''"'''  ^^"='''  "^^^i^ 

l)i«  superior  in  the  va7    i  j  nt  .n  i       '    "^  '  «I'-'R«  •"'  a  pohtieal   adventurer.     He  is 

f-  of'a  eorrnpt  and  ^.r;:';;;;';;;:  ^'"^^^  '"^'"^^^^^^^  ^^^^^  -»--  -^^J  eharac. 
ins  waireH  and  must  e-irn  tlw.i,.  i>  .".'.' i-  '•■,  "  *  ^'^'^  '"'■'*  received 
tn  hi...  what  eo  e  Inn  ,r  s,  I,,.  m  "  "'  P"',"?''"'  '^  ''  P"'''^«">'  """'^'terial 
-••■  ^.Iway.  in  the  Jillr"  vtui  d  S  "'h e'i  ^"r"' ^'^'""«  l-  possesses, 
l"r  iii.Miey  or  tor  olliee  With  7.n  .1 '.''"'  '"'1'"^  '"^  ''i'  ,'^.  '"'  '«  «'vcr  ready  to  work 
■Mv  to  oi Ir  an  aSuate  rev  r^  n  J  1  ,  ■'  '""•  ^'.^"■^'"•■l"'"  ^'''  «''rves  all  who  are 
of  veracity,  have  hSlj  ;  ,  u  ^  (I'T  ,  T  ''"'";'"'  '•"""l>^i^"'.  ='"•'  want 
li'-ars  to  Mr   x\oah's  oo  tr-.i       ^  t         1  ^   l";i-liaps  the  stron^r  resendilanee  ho 

Mr.  Van  Hum"  ol  't^  ;  £'  ,'  'iri' '  ^''"V""'"^'*  "•'"'  ^^' ""^  ""•«'«-'"-'ts  to 
'^"-  to  ol.l.oe  hi.Vriend.s  iTAIr    nLi,  '"'"  ^''''  '"^''"'^  ^"  ^"  "^''^'-V  "« 

w,t-.n^;!',.J.l!"^"/  >,';*''^''  lia-s  been,  a  p,.nsioncr  on  the  pnhiic,  under  the 


WllO 


:iii-^e  ot"  an  Inspector  in  the  id 

'•liaraeter  we  take   from  the  P  iilid'.'.lnhir'x"  '""  7Z  ^T  '  '"'"""  ^'•'"^'-^-     ^''^ 
'!"■  hand  of  Col.   Uuanc    /u  pJ  .^^  ^"rch,  1817,  as  portrayed  hy 

Cfeneral  Jackson  '  ^"   ^   '''""^'  '^'-■"•i^tary  of  the  Treasury  under 


.l.o'a£,.^Tp:;:;;:f,;!::if  t^;?'^r;*^- York,  "^^7-  ^-^  ^-^<o  ns  n^nd,  .o„.o,n  in 
'l"es  not  feel  di.-posed  to  have  Ins  niri,  r„    /  y      ,■    "  '«"'"'",'  ^'"/c  J\>ip/il„li 

re:...o„s  which  ho  asii  r  ed  „  r,      .cars      'n  "'"'"''"'  '""''  '^•^^'"''''^  ''""'  "''^  ■''^•"'« 

to  beato.  on  hin,  in  tha^  palul^di^K^^^'^^^^^I^^J''  ^^'  «"  '^'"'  '"'^"-  - 

-nu,  the'  people  have  ieenthri'.t'ers"'  ''  "  '''  "^^^  °'  ""  ""^'^  ^"^  «--  " 

staSi^lll^S^hTSS^JS^l^^Vl^^^ii^r' J^^^^^^  ^  ^''-  ''''-  ''''^  *^  - 
"out  suit,)  savs   that  after  'f,V''-/^"'^>' "' his  Repi.rt  to  Congress,  (on  the  Swart- 


3S 


A  $600,000   CHARACTER — NOAh's   INSTRUCTIONS. 


21st  of  Auffiist,  IHll,  for  llic  stun  of  $000,000,  apainst  Joshua  Phillips,  who  had 
l)i>nn  assistant  cashier,  under  Mr.  Hwartwout.  The  suit  is  still  pendinfr."  Tho 
Holieilor  thinks  that  althonijh  S.  "  miy-ht  lie,  liable  for  intmii's  received  hy  his 
casliier,  lh(^  cashier  himself  was  also  liaiile  for  this  large  sum,  [$(!()(), 000,]  never 
liavinij  paid  it  over."' 

I  fear  that  as  the  laws  here  are  powerless  for  the  ])iinishinent  of  i.'-crv?/ rei;^7(r,t 
when  convieied,  it  will  i)e  just  as  well  to  contin\u'  the  jiension  of  \aplitali,  the 
falhcr,  and  to  lei  his  son  .loshua  l<ei'p  what  he  has  {jot.  Jf  Fauntlemy,  said  Ji.  F. 
Hiitler,  on  the  trial  of  Cashier  White,  had  been  tried  in  the  United  States,  he 
could  not  have  heen  convicted  and  hrought  to  punishment. 

JIow  was  it  that  Joshua  Phillips  came  to  the  custody  and  possession  of  $000,000 
of  the  people's  funds  ' 

'I'liniufih  Mr.  \'an  iJuriMi's  friend.  Major  Noah,  as  witness  the  following  earnest 
appeal  and  interested  voucher  : 

Mr.  M.  !\I.  Noah  to  Major  Swartwout,  Iloliokeu — a  month  before  the  latter  was 
ap[)ointed  as  Colk'clor  of  the  port  of  New  York. 

My  dear  Sir — I  mentioned  to  ycni  that  Mr.  Joshua  and  Aaron  N.  Phillips  have 
bceninanv  years  iu  the  ("usKmus.  THKY  ARK  AT  IMPOUTANT  DKSKS, 
and  THl''illl  (WP.VCITV  ami  llioroutrh  knowledfje  of  the  business  is  excelled  hy 
luine  m  the  department.  In  iiilroduciu!"  them  to  your  friendly  notice  1  can  only 
assure  V(ui  that  their  experience  and  attention  to  their  duties,  will  b(>  \iseful  to  vou 
and  serviceable  to  the  revenue,  and  that  TIUIY  MHIUT  BY  TJlKlll  JNTFG- 
RJTY  YOUR  ENTIRE  CONFlDKiNCE. 

Truly  yours,         "  IM.   M.  NOAII. 

New  York,  March  31,  182'J. 


Mr.  Noah's  standinjj,  and  connection  with  Messrs.  Van  Burcn,  Butler,  Bownc, 
Allen,  llovt,  and  iheir  associates,  will  more  fully  appear  in  tlie  course  of  the  fol- 
lowing correspiuideuce  : 

Jesse  Hoyl,  I''sq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  10  Wall  Street,  New  York. 

Albany,  Jan'y  20,  1801. 
Mv  Dear  fiieud — The  l^lector;il  Law  was  to  have  been  taken  up  in  the  Assein- 

blv  to-dav There  is  no  doubt  whatever  that    a    iiui'tu'ity  think 

it  inexix'diciil  to  pass  ilu>  bill,  and  yet  they  are  so  hampered  by  iiremature  cemuiit- 
meiils.  (Iik/  iiiiiini  of  ihtin  so  i^tuuhd  1 1/  ihiir  consti/iK  ii/s,  as  to  render  it  almost  mev- 
ally  certain  that  they  pass  it  in  some»sliape  or  otluM'.  Our  reliance  is  on  the 
Senate,  and  we  still  entertain  strong  hopes  that  it  will  be  rejected  there  in  whin- 
over  t'orm  it  may  come.  Still,  this  is  by  no  means  certain,  and  the  greatest  caii- 
linii  and  prudence,  as  well  as  the  irreatoi  linniu-ss.  are  reiiuired  in  jiresenting  the 
suliiect  to  \\w  Senators.  \Ve  have  not  been,  and  are  not.  idle;  on  the  contrary,  if 
ever  miMi  labored  incessantly,  the  •  Conspirators"  and  the  '  Regency."  iS:c..  deserve 

that  praise Mak(>  a  suggestion   to   .Mr.  Noah,  which 

I  trust  will  not  be  impropcM'ly  ri'ceived  by  liim.  It  is  simply  to  suggest  that,  tuv 
tho  present,  the  Advoaiti-  should  not  press  the  claims  iu)r  descant  on  the  merits  nf 
Mr.  Crawford.  We  have  in  tho  two  hranclu-s  ol'  the  Legisl.  about  lOo  nienibers 
who  are  thcu-oiigh-going  Caucus  men.  (">!'  these  a  majority,  hcyoi'd  all  doulit, 
would  prel'er  the  nomination  of  INIr.  Crawford,  tin-  remainder  are  for  Mr.  Clay  or 
Mr.  Adams,  the  sinnlK-st  nnnibcr  beiiirr  for  lli(>  latter.  W  l,ili  t/usc  nun  err  irii.'ini; 
/,.  ff/.((/r  A;/,M':0NCRF,SS10NAL  NOMINATION,  it  is  eselets  to  advocate  the 
claims  of  Mr.  Crawlord  to  such  a  iioniinaiicin,  it  Liui^  naiTAiN'  IhrJ  if  am/  is  ii./idc 
it  iiiiiff  l'(f!  on  htm.  Besides,  by  pressing  the  claims  ol'  that  aentlenian  you  inciiv 
tho  risk  of  alarming  the  feelums  and  encountering  the  o]iposiii(in  of  those  firm  ami 
honest  men  who  have  gone  with  us  nobly  so  far.  and  are  williiiff  to  go  with  us  to 
tho  end.  but  who  are  yet  unaccountably  wedded  to  Mr.  Clay  or  Mr.  Adams.  Aiui 
thoutrh  I  do  not  believe  they  ccmld  he  driven  from  the  resolutions  they  have  con- 
curred in.  in  favor  of  a  Caucus  at  Washiuatiui.  thev  mav  yet  be  induced  to  given 
warm  support  to  the  Electoral  Line,  if  they  become  satisfied,  cii'ier  that  their  caii- 


liiilates  have  ik 
the  claims  of  A 
mi,''  lo  ///'  iit(/  ft 
ri'mliiiess  lo  kii 
hiiii'  eiiouyii  (il 
III'  llie  siiccessfi 
iintiii^s  tin  IliK 
II  s.w///  wiin/(/  Or 
li'i/  uuliitiinai^f  I 
liiinrii,  AND  '! 
niilhiiiir  of  lliat 
If  llie  meetin 
will  1).',  it  will 
till'  voice,  not  e 
Ills  cdlleao-iies, 
iiislead    of  injiii 

li.r/ard  hy  givin, 
bill  as  .Mr.  Bow 
cuiifer  with  him 

'  iiiniitril  \i\  II 
talk  iiiiieh  of  ]i 
(■'■i>si  ,s  ;ir(^  here 
II  liii Icr,  are  as 
oiIkts  iu  the  A 
Iluiise. 

I  liave  nut  wri 
It  lias  been  merit 
it,  and  if  iln-y  h 
which  on  rellecli 

I  opened  this  1 

To  J<s.K   Uoyt, 

\)k.\h  Silt':— 1 

newspapers  or  in 

lite  winter  have 

.Ak'ssrs.  Adams  a 

so.  if  it  had  not  tl 

and  there  is  no  g 

has  seiiled  down 

the  Ifrmt  ihtrimcn 

'  pec  of  success  ; 

animadversions  o 

wenks  has  been  £ 

which  course  is, 

public  opinion.     I 

llie  coiiirary  iherr 

tlie  many  good  an 

ot'lliein— and  the 

As  the  Major    ha 

o'.ihgalion  lo  feed 

M  ike  my  best  res 

suas,  they  must  e; 


Dear  Hoyt,— 

the  interest  you  ta 
fully  the  object  of 


EUTLEil's  MACHIATELISM— VAU  BUHEH  ON  NOAH.  39 

5     ;i;''"hi!rrf  »;;*,":"?'' 'I  ^'"r"?  ^"""'i"""".  or  .hm  „■.  „„  ,lc,nr,ni„c,I  ,„  r„„.. 

:  .' ;"n.' »:'.t:£i;;;:;,,:,;;;:'"''''''"- "■  "•'""" »j ...■""-.. .1..; h.,.,,.,,., „,„, ,.;;'„l;;, 

'  iitiipiiiii 

b«>  a,,  jir.  ]i,„vMc.  „  '  ,t  , ,  V , .  t  ;.'.'■  i'',^'- ",■'" "' "  '";i;"'"  'i'»'»'-i«'- 

II  "a;  ,t'riz:i,r:,™r',',r',',;;i'4 "  "■  I'-v';"'"'  ■y"™-  "-"i  .;:d 

;;:;-; °  ---^-:»:™"'««  ":^-;i';,,-7:;sJ-;- -  te! 

.rtii-i.  o„  ,„„>,';;;„  I  :i;i,r„:',ii'„::,';',  :';',';„:'''''™""""'°  °'  ■"  '■"'"■■■'' '» "■«-- 

T  I  .1  •    ,  Yours  tiulv,  B    F    HT'TT  FP 

I  opened  llus  Jetter  to  show  Judge  S.  "•  i  •  -UL  illk. 

iiliiiia 

mmMmmsm 

he  cofit  -n-v    I  P,.,     fn  '  '  "'\'^^'^,l''*'  "ill"'""  or  rather  the  feeling  of  all  ;    on 

:'h  n  iu,  h    fir  '"""•  "''r"'*^^  '"=  '«'  '^''^-  "'"''-  on'ter  some  s    t    f 

soas,  they  must  excuse  me  from  not  wri.ingTs  often -Is  iSdIvish  '""'  '''■ 

^""rfaend,  M.  V.  BUREN. 

M.  M.  Noah  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  Aihanv. 


40 


NOAH  GRUMBLING — VAN  BUREN  TOO  SANGUINE. 


mi/si'lf  as  iinhnnd.wmrh/  f  rented  by  those  from  whom  I  Itad  a  riff  lit  to  expect  a  (HJferent 
coxirs-i ;  und  ;im  jioKiiivo  tli:i1  on  thn  de'Uth  of  Mr.  Cuiitine  there  wiis  but  one  voice 
ill  tny  fiivoiir.  W  /iiniififfeiiient  and  inlriffTir  could  liiivc  been  so  successfully  exerted 
as  to  wean  UAvay  uiy  friends  or  iiiipiiir  luy  cbiiins,  tlien  there  is  notbiiinr  to  expect 
from  the  Jus/ice  nf  the  Ri^pubiic;iM  ]);irty.  1  cimiiot  hbiiuc  Mr.  Miiel  in  wisliiiiir  to 
be  secured  in  the  ]);iynients  due  bini,  hut  cotisidiri riff  the  dijjkvlly  ice  labored  und'sr 
in  briiiffinff  the  Argus  in  the  republican  from  the  Clinionian  ranl;s — considi rinff  ahu 
the  fortune  icliich  Mr.  Buel  has  made  out  of  it — I  tjiiiik  that  op])osilion  does  not 
come  Willi  :i  pood  p;race  from  him,  and  that  any  further  svrvielhince  over  the  State 
Pniiliiij,'-  should  cease.  No  oik;  knows  better  than  ymnself  that  there  was  but  one 
opinion  expressed  ihrouirhout  the  Union  in  r(?lation  to  the  perfidious  course  of  sonic 
oi'my  friends  in  this  ciiy,  and  but  one  hope  expressed  that  the  (iovernor  or  Le^jis- 
ialure  would  by  some  public  expression  of  opinion  pive  those  persons  to  undersiiiiui 
that  my  services  i(»  the  ])arty  were  ajjpreciated,  and  mv  future  usefulness  reirarded 
wiih  a  lavouraldo  eye.  This  disposition  certainly  existed  when  I  arrived  at  Albany, 
but  great  exertions  are  and  have  been  made  to  check  this  favourable  course. 
I  do  not  concur  in  opinion  that  1  should  not  run  unless  certain  of  being  chosen  Stale 
Printer.  I  am  not  so  certain  that  I  can  be  defeated — but  if  so,  I  am  willincr  to 
!;■  zavd  a  defeat,  reserving  to  myself  tin;  rio-hi  ol'  spreading  the  facis  bel'ove  the 
world,  and  ciliihil  the  si/slem  of  peddlinff  airay  the  patronoffc  of  the  State,  and  above 
all  ascertaining  who  are  my  friends  ;  it  is  necessary  to  know  who  are  my  friends, 
for  ulterior  objects.  This  course  will  bring  me  in  collision  with  the  Arffvs,  and 
probably  with  many  warm  I'riends  of  mine  who  are  equally  friendly  to  that  estah- 
iishment,  but  it  will  enlighten  the  minds  and  ])repare  the  feelings  of  the  next  legis- 
lature, and  they  may  so  act  as  to  do  justice  to  my  claims,  without  reference  to 
shilliiifrs  and  ])enc(^  calculations — and  if  it  is  deemed  the  policy  of  the  friends  of  ilini 
establishment  to  unite  in  their  attempts  to  injure  me  or  check  my  fair  and  proper 
views,  yon  will  concur  in  the  uecessity  of  standing  on  the  defensive  and  attackiiiff 
them  in  return,  which  though  it  may  do  me  no  immediate  good,  cannot  rcmotelv 
benefit  them.  In  short,  J  have  been  the  faithful  and  zealous  servant  of  T]IE 
PARTY,  and  have  served  that  party  successfully.  If  men  whom  ]  have  had  to 
contend  aff.iinst  are  now  to  pronounce  on  my  claims  there  is  an  end  of  further 
silence — it  does  not  comport  with  character  or  conduct  to  submit  to  it.  Mr.  Phillips 
goes  up  to  get  a  secii(Mi,  authorising  legal  notices  to  be  published  in  the  Advocate— 
a  patronage  to  which  the  ))aper  is  entitled,  and  which  it  ought  to  receive.  There 
should  be  but  one  voice  in  fivor  of  it,  in  a  democratic  legislature — and  H  is  neccssiin 
in  relation  to  the  President ied  i/ucstion.  I  am  persuaded  you  and  the  delegation  will 
do  the  best  to  carry  it  through  ;  and  I  have  only  to  say  that  if  nothing  can  be  done 
for  me — if  I  have  so  grievously  sinned  as  to  be  spoken  of  as  a  candidate  for  State 
printer,  I  hope  the  friends  of  the  Argus  will  not  visit  my  sins  upon  him.  At  all 
events,  he  has  full  powers  from  mc  to  enter  into  any  arranffcment,  or  come  to  any 
understandins,  which  ?nai/  tend  to  keep  thinffs  harmoniously  and  comfortahh/  afloat  and 
prevent  schism  and  division  in  our  ranks — this  on/t/  can  be  done  by  acting  justly  and 
fairly  towards  \\Zr  <"'wh  other. 

Always,  Dear  Hoyt,  truly  yours,  M.  M.  NOx\H. 

"Old  Beeswax"   says   that  the  Adjutant  General  must  live  in  Albany.     Will 
General  Hatheway  do  so  !  I  !     Should  a  Senator  accept  tlie  office? 


Washington,  March  6,  1824. 
Jesse  Iloyt,  Esq. 

Drar  Sir, — I  have  received  yours  this  moment.  I  cannot  help  what 
Messrs.  Lynch  and  King  may  choose  to  infer  from  my  looks,  but  the  truth  is  that 
1  have  at  no  time  doubted  of  our  complete  succe.ss.  The  great  influence  which  was 
exercised  here  to  prevent  members  from  attending  the  caucus,  and  the  subserviency 
iiiid  iniiratitude  of  some  who  have  partaken  largely  of  the  favor  of  the  party,  were 
calculated  to  excite  strong  feeliufis,  which  were  doubtless  sometimes  manifest,  bu! 
despondency  is  a  weakness  with  which  1  am  but  little  annoyed.  On  the  assump- 
tion that  New  York  will  be  firm  and  promptly  explicit,  we  here  consider  the 
question  of  the  election  substantially  settled.     Neither  Mr.  Adams  or  Mr.  Clay 


nau  keep  in  the  f 
information  on  whu 
ill  a  letter.  I  will  i 
never  were  in  bette 
our  friends. 


Dear  Sir — The  i 
mcnt.  The  course 
coursG  not  the  slight 
is  the  "  gentleman 
the  chest.  My  qu 
Webster ;  and  whe 
carried  advices  froi 
against  mo  that  I  \ 
sions,  and  requestec 
morning  after  they 
nothing  of  this  as  c( 


Mr.  Jesse  Hoi/t  elect 

Stone.     Mr.   Van 

fulfor  bets.     Noa 

In  1823,  though  ; 
wire-pullers  of  Tan 
of  the  city  of  New 
serviceable  partisan 
eloquence  is  not  his 
attorney  of  New  Yoi 
Xew  York,  and  his 
for  the  presidency,  , 

Extract  of  a  lettc 
"  You  will  have  wai 
sembly]  ticket  you  v 
friends.  They  aske 
a  cause  in  Rhode 
'The  store  keeper !' 

FjXtracts  from  a  h 
York— dated  .lune  5 
Mercantile.  Charlei 
commencement  of  th 
office  of  attorney  to  1 
may  succeed — but  I 
with  powerful  oppom 
make  a  grand  .sally  u 
From  the  same  to 
are  not  very  strongly 
inelFicient  man,  and  v 
hy  the  presiding  offici 
the  precincts  of  those 
to  keep  aloof.  Our  c 
and  are  anxiously  wa 

*  John  C.  Calhoun. 
6 


JESSE  HOYT    IN  THE    LEGISLATURE. 


41 


^nu  keep  in  the  field  after  the  course  of  New  York  is  possitively  known.  Vie 
mjMion  nn  whuh  th,s  opinion  rr./s,  and  thr  rrnsons  in  its  support  cannot  be  given 
III  a  filer.  1  will  myself  bo  easy  oi.  the  subject,  and  so  will  our  friends  here,  who 
never  were  in  bettor  spirits  or  felt  strouffer  confidence.  Make  my  best  respects  to 
o"''f™'"^«-  Yours  cordially,  ^ 

M.  V.  BUREN. 


Senator  Van  IJurcn  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt. 
Uear  |5ir— The  attack  on  the  Vice-President*  has  produced 
'.     Ihc  course  pursued  will  cause  it  to  recoil  with  severity!'  ''fhen 
ie  not  the  slightest  pretence  for  the  allejration.     Mr.  Satterlee  Clark  of  yo 
I     gentleman  from  New  York."     My  friend  Judge  Rowan  is 45  inches 


ment 
rourse 
IS  the 
tlie  chest. 


very  great  excite- 

'"  ere  is  of 

your  city 

,,  ,         ..      ,    ,        --J o- "..  ..^^»  ....^■les  round 

wj  u  .  >^  quondam  (riend  John  A.  King,  whilst  here,  stayed  with   Mr. 

U  ebster ;  and  when  he  parterl  from  me  I  was  so  sensible  from  his  manner  that  he 
carried  advices  from  here  which  would  induce  the  administration  folks  to  come  out 
against  mo  that  1  wrote  confidentially  to  Campbell  by  the  same  mail  my  iinures- 
sions,  and  requester  (reneral  Van  Rensselaer  to  look  out  for  it  in  the  Anuriran  the 
mnrning  after  they  left  us.     The  result  has  I  think  verified  my  conjectures.     Say 

111  haste,  your  friend, 

M.  VAN  13UREN. 
Washington,  Dec.  30,  1826. 


nothing  of  this  as  coming  from  me. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Mr  Jes^e  Ho,,t  ehcted  to  the  Lesrislature.     His  brother  reports  for  the  Press.      Col 
!^tone.     Mr.   Van  Burcn  on  the  victory  of  1828.     Anti-masonry.     Majorities  use- 
Juljor  bets.     I\oah  s  defeat,  and  opinions  of  his  patron. 

In  1823,  though  a  stranger  in  New  York,  party  organization,  controlled  by  the 
wire-pullers  of  I  ammany  Hall,  sent  Mr.  Hoyt  back  to  Albany  as  a  representative 
ot  the  city  of  New  York,  where  he  proved  a  thorougli-going  instrument  and  most 
serviceable  partisan.  He  made  some  speeches  but  they  were  dull  and  heavy 
e  oquence  IS  not  his  f-orte.  In  i«24,  he  made  an  efTort  to  obtain  the  office  of  district 
atiorncy  of  New  York,  but  failed .  In  Nov.  1828  his  patron  became  Governor  elect  of 
.New  York,  and  his  party  had  by  this  time  come  round  to  the  popular  candidate 
lor  the  presidency,  Andrew  Jackson. 

Extract  of  a  letter— E.  Living.ston  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Albany,  Ju'.y  18,  1822.— 

You  will  have  warm  work  this  fall  in  New  York.     If  you  can  get  on  the  FAs- 

sfiral)  yj  ticket  you  will  (frankly)  disappoint  me  as  much  as  you  have  your  Albany 

trieuds.     riiey  asked  here,  '  Who  is  this  Hoyt  of  New  York  that  was  engaged  in 

a  cause  in   Rhode  Island,  with  Webster,   &c^'      'The   store  keeper,'   said  I. 

Ihe  store  keeper !'  said  they—'  well,  what's  this  world  a  coming  to  !'  " 

iYtracts  from  a  letter— Lorenzo  Hoyt,  at  Albany,  to  his  brother  Jesse  at  New 
\ork-dated  June  20,  1824.-"  I  have  commenced  reporting  regularly  for  the 
mercantile,     (.harles  and  me  do  it  together,  as  we  formed  a  partnership  before  the 

commencement  of  the  session You  say  you  are  making  a  push  for  the 

otlice  of  attorney  to  the  corporation,  and  I  think  your  claims  are  good,  I  hope  you 
mav  succeed— but  I  presume  it  is  doubtful,  as  vou  undoubtedly  have  to  contend 
«ith  powerful  opponents,  I  shall  not  be  much  disappointed  if  you  fail-but  I  would 
make  a  grand  sa/hj  to  carry  my  point  this  time." 

Iroin  the  same  to  the  same— Feb'y.  1.5,  1824.—"  The  Federalists  of  your  city 
are  not  very  strong  y  represented  in  Col.  St„n,  of  the  Commercial.  He  is  rather  an 
inehcient  man,  and  very  little  notice  is  taken  of  him,  except  when  he  is  cautioned 
nv  the  presiding  officer  of  both  Houses  to  beware  how  he  obtrudes  himself  within 
ine  precincts  of  those  walls,  from  which  he  was  once  ordered  by  competent  authority 
■^  keep  alool.  Our  eyes  in  this  quarter  are  at  present  turned  towards  Washington, 
andUre  anxiously  waiting  to  get  the  result  of  the  caucus. " 

*  John  C.  Calhoun. 
6 


42 


VAN   HI'KKN  TO    riOYT    ON    Tfll.  VICTORY  OK  NOV.   1828. 


i^cnalor   C.  Hurra  Id  Mr.  Jissi   Um/I,  X  in  VorL. 

Pos^t  murk,  "  Alhy.  Nov.  H,  IHJH.     Fnr,  ]\1.  V.  IJuirn." 

My  Di'nr  Sir  :  I  tliiink  yoii  Kiiiccrcly  Cor  your  ncvcriil  (•(iiiiinimicMtiotis.  Tliry 
liMvc  hiTii  ;i  sdiircc  (il  Imili  |i:iiii  mikI  |i|r;isiirc  tii  iiK — llic  liiltcr  (in  accoiintor  llicir 
confciils,  iiikI  ihc  (oiiiin-  (in  iiccdiiiil  oT  the  cxtn'mc  (lililciilly  1  have  liiid  to  umko 
out  whiil  llirir  conlfiils  wcit'.  Voii  would  cntiiiiily  concct  this,  if  you  knew  how 
cxlrciiu'ly  |i:inirul   i»  is  to  your  friends.      I  would   have  written  to  ytui  Ixlore,  Itut 

have  had  no  lime  t it  my  meals.     My  house   has  I n   run  down  hy  my  iVieiids, 

atone  moment  flushed  with  victory,  and  the  ne\t   t'riyhte I  out   (d' "their   senses, 

and  IVeijuenlly  without  cause  for  either. 

i.ayiuM  ijie  ellorts  u\'  Anti-masonrv  out  of  view,  ami  of  which  we  have  as  yet  luil 
uiuch  iieymul  ruuuuir,  the  (declion  has  heeu  a  real  old  fashioned  riiiu'ty-ei<ihl  fi^flit. 
Ilverywhere,  as  far  as  ascertaiiu'd,  we  have  siu-ceeded  in  deimieratie  counties  by 
overwhelmiiitr  votes,  ami  lost  in  counties  iluit  were  formerly  federal  hy  snuiU  ma- 
jorities. SaratofTji  was  doctored  to  death  if  it  is  lost  which  is  not.  cerlain.  The 
name  of  , Adams,  ami  the  character  td'  the  discussions,  have  hrouttht  old  fe(din<Ta 
into  entire  and  elhcient  o|ieration.  'I'he  result,  accoidiiiir  to  my  present  knowledfrc 
and  ludief,  has  heeu  (under  tl ircumstanees)  siirnally  lriuni|ihant .  The  follow- 
ing vole  up(ui  the  elect(ual  Ticket  I  regard  as  al)S(dut(dv  certain,  if  there  are  any 
mistakes  in  it,  in  y(uir  part  of  the  Stale,  you  can,  of  course,  correct  it. 

Queens  and  Suifolk  1  ascertained. — Kiuf^s  1  do. — New  York  W  do. — Westches- 
ter and  I'utnam  I  do. — Dutchess  I  do. — ()rant,re  I  do. — Ul.sier  and  Sullivan  1 
<lo. — (Jreen  ami  Delaware  I  do. — Schenectady  and  Schoharie  I  do. — Jlerkimer 
1  d(). — Oi.scfro  1  do. — Omindatro  1.  Wo  have  only  i)artial  returns,  and  thoy 
are  favorahl-  |  cannot  think  theri>  is  the  sliirjitest  douht  of  this  County.  Ascer- 
laiiied.  Cay.iira  1  ascertained. — ('henaiifxo  and  HnKUui'  1  do. — Tompkins  ami 
('ourlhmdt  1,  not  ascertained,  hut  without  the  slightest  douht. — 17. 

Now,  i  have  niU  time  to  speak  of  the  chances  in  the  other  districts  ;  you  must 
make  them  out  from  thi'  papers.  For  myself,  1  sluuild  think  irood  l,i(.|<  idone  ivmild 
{jive  us  a  few  more,  and  I  shall  he  eijreiriously  disappointed  it  we  do  not,  jret  -JO  iit 
the  very  loiist.  You  need  not  helieve  their  storii  :i,  for  they  have  not  the  sliirhtcst 
respect  for  truth  in  imtst  cases.  \Xv  shall  therefore  have  votes  tMiouirh  to  iiut 
.lackson's  (declion  out  (d'  all  (|uestioii,  and  WHAT  IS  ()VKI{  IS  ONLY  IM- 
PORTANT ON  TiiK  scom-;  of  ufts. 

Our  (ioverui'i-  and  LiiMit.  (iovernor  majority  will  hr  iiiiDirnsr.  'J"he  (Uily  4  luwiis 
in  Uroome  (A  ('HAZY  COrNTV)  have  <riven  me  nii  unanimous  vo1(^  viz.  1000, 
and  the  olht-rs,  it  is  supposed,  will  not  reduce  that.  J'lverywhere  1  ^^et  th(3  true 
party  viUe,  inn/  in  inauji  plans  Soii/lnrirh's  rote  will  hr  Ivrar.  We  .shall  have 
nearly  ;t()0()  in  FIster  and  Sullivan,  and  hetween  ir)00  and  x!000  inCayufra;  we 
have  carried  our  Senatm's  in  I  districts,  and  have  a  ijood  chance  to  carry  tiiem  in 
nuKst  of  the  others.  Our  majority  in  the  Assemhlv  will  he  as  larfre  as  is  desira- 
hle.  Oontendiuir,  as  we  have  done,  afjainst  Federali.sm,  n-vived  Anti-masonrv,  and 
Monev.  I  am  satisfied  with  tli.>  result.  1  SOHFLY  HFGHKT  THl'l  LOSS  OF 
NOAIFS  FLKCTION.  AS  WELL  AS  ON  HIS  OAVN  AtTOFNT,  AS  ON 
ACCOFN'I'  OF  THF,  COST  HIS  I'U-FCTION  HAS  13KKN  TO  THE 
PAHTY;  hut  one  point  is  jiained,  viz.:  he  must  he  satisfied  tliat  lust  frirmh  have, 
inlh  thrir  rt/rs  oprii,  siiafniiKd  a  arrnt  s/rui^^nlr,  and  run  iniirh  liazanl  on  his  arrovnl. 
I  hope  thrrr  will  yrt  hr  sonic  irai/  found  out  of  doing  sonii  tiling  for  him.  T  shall  he 
down  on  Tuesday.  In  the  mean  time  show  tliis  to  my  friends  Bownc.  Yorplanok, 
Hamilton,  and  ramhrelontr.  Tell  A'orplanck  t  have  no  douht  von  wa«  as  much 
frirrhtened  as  he  says,  and  am  (luite  certain  that  yon  have,  as  "much  pluck  as  you 
claim.     Hemcinber  me  to  Mrs.  Hoyt,  and  helirve  me  to  be, 

Yours  cordially, 

M.  V.  BUREN. 


Having,  thus,  jfiyen  theGovornor  elect's  confidential  statement,  in  the  moment  n/ 
a  victory  which  laid  the  foundation  of  his  power-,  so  lonsr  exerted  in  the  Union  fnr 
evil ;  and  remindinp  the  reader  of  his  and  Jlr.  Butler's  opinion  of  Mr.  Noah,  know- 
ing /ii«i  as  they  did— I  select  this  as  tiie  uppropriatc  place  in  which  to  record  tlieif 


friend's  sentim 
Noah  !— th(!  II 
(ii'ii(!ral  .lacks 
Surveyor  of  tl 
uithoul  study- 
never  trusted  I 
jirus.soH,  and  el 
v.  Buren  luinc 


Talk  of  Aiiro 
WI13  a  broad,  b 
i)y  per.Honal  cou 
Biucn'a  petty  i 
s(;llish  spcciiliit 
atock-jobhinjj  ( 
riuin  I'uvrinj;,  sk 
spirit,  purity,  ai 
minds — basking 
market — plouirj 
citi/ens — pullin< 
till  of  this  anibil 
way  to  the  pres. 

And  arrain — 

To-day  he  i;o 

whose  existence 

rcMcy,  to  piciise 

lie  enrolls  in  hia 

ties  of  interest  > 

hopes  and   fears 

obtain  catholic 

{jovernruent,  is  t 

of  the  Kitchen  C 

When  we  lool' 

ancc,  his  industr 

and  perturbed  tl: 

travels  from  cou 

body,  comforts  t 

The  world  wil 

to  benefit  this  c( 

W'o  answer,  no, 

own  advanccmen 

hi  in  self ;  the   spl 

priate  to  himaelf 

lias  im  place  in  li 

pliiudd  have  hop( 

great  nation .'     A 

Every  paper  al 

for  the  Prcsidone 

vast  machine  of  i 

the  Union  ;  they 

(lent  witliout  reih 

to  every  oilice  In 

ecs.«ion  ;    they  dc 

fjmund  ;  the  ]>ilo 

another  to  breati 

pnblic  opinion,  hi 

jjood  opinion  of 

unbiased  suffrage 

fpiirs  of  men,  he 

lenders,  and  mak( 

1834. 


noah's  picture  of  van  buren. 


43 


friond  s  sontimonts  rerrardinrf  tlmm.  Make  room,  frenlleiiie.i,  for  the  witness,  Major 
iVoah  !— till'  l{..(T(.„cy-H  ( •oiuipil  of  Appointment  made  him  Hi.'h  Sherifl"  of  N  Y  — 
(;rm.ral  Jaekson,  Mr.  Van  UnnMi,  and  liir  Senate  of  the  Union  appointed  him 
Purveyor  of  th.^  I  ..rl  of  N.-w  Vork-the  Supnun.,  Conrt  made  him  a  CounseUor 
uuh<.nistndy— an.!  Ihe  whiirs  dnbhcd  him  a. Indue  at  the  Tombs— but  the  people 
never  trusted  hnri— wlien  .'n;  appealed  to  their  suHVaaes,  money,  orjranization,  hired 
presses,  a.i.l  (dec^tioneerintf— all  failed.  TIk;  Iriahman  (Shaw)  succeeded,  and  Mr. 
V  .  Uuren  lainentud  "  the  cost  "  to  the  party. 

From  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Star,  June  23,  1834. 

Talk  of  Aaron  Burr  in  comparison  with  Van  Buren  !  !  Why,  Aaron  Burr's  ambition 
W113  a  broad,  bold,  enterpnsni<r  passion— carried  onward  by  L'reat  talent— sustained 
by  personal  courajie,  and  havinfr  ,be  establishnient  of  empires  for  its  obiect  ;  but  Van 
Umen  s  petty  intrifrues,  are  a  mixture  of  fawninir  sycophancy— a  trallic  for  office— a 
SL-Ilisli  speculation  on  political  cliannes-a  lown-dividinjf,  countv-splittin.r  policy— a 
atock-jobbinjr  experiment— a  system  of  rewards  and  punishments— a  littl-',  tiicky 
man  i.uvnnjr,  skirm.shmir,  scilisli,  non-committal  spirit,  unknown  to  men  of  patriotism, 
spirit,  purity,  and  tried  taleiits.  It  is  working  with  small  agents— controllin-r  weaker 
nnnds— basking  „,  the  sunshine  of  other  men's  influence— watching  the  turns  of  the 
market— plougiung  to-day  with  the  working  men— to-morrow  with  aliens  and  adopted 
citi/ens— pulling  every  string  and  moving  every  wire  that  make  up  the  political  capi- 
tal  of  this  ambitious  and  mischievous  little  man,  through  which  he  hopes  to  force  his 
way  to  the  presidential  chair.— ^/.  M.  A'oah. 

And  again — in  Oeloher — 

To-day  he  gets  up  a  plan  to  hold  the  state  captive  bv  a  chain  of  safety  fund  banks 
whose  existence  depends  on  paper  issues  ;  to-morrow  he  is  in  favor  of  a" metallic  cur- 
rency, to  please  a  higher  power,  whom  be  fears.  While  professing  to  bo  a  democrat. 
he  enrolls  m  Ins  legions  the  apostate  of  every  party  ;  he  binds  to  him  by  the  close 
ties  of  inlerest  every  active  politician,  every  speculating  editor.  He  appeals  to  the 
liopcs  and  fears  of  every  office  holder,  opens  a  correspondence  with  the  Pope  to 
obtain  catholic  votes,  and  degrades  his  own  country  to  stand  well  with  the  British 
jrovernment,  is  the  friend  and  the  enemy  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States,  the  patron 
of  tfio  Kitchen  Cabinet,  the  flatterer  and  sycophant  of  the  President. 

When  we  look  at  the  career  of  Mr.  Van  Buren,  we  are  astonished  at  his  persevei- 
aaco,  bis  industry,  his  close  calculations  and  his  active,  untiring  spirit.  Ever  restless 
and  jierturbed  there  is  no  chance  that  he  leaves  untouched— no  efforts  untried  He 
travels  from  county  to  county,  from  town  to  town  ;  sees  every  body,  talks  to  every 
body,  comforts  the  disappointed  and  flatters  the  expectant  with  hope-  of  success 

The  world  will  ask  is  this  perseverance,  this  industry,  this  extreme  of  niana.rement 
lo  benefit  this  country,  its  constitution,  its  prosperity,  or  to  promote  its  tranquility  ' 
Wo  answer,  no,  no,  «o— it  is  with  the  hope  of  benffitUng  himself,  of  promotin<r  his 
own  advanrement.  With  Martin  Van  Buren,  the  world  has  no  allurements  but  for 
himsclj  ;  the  splendid  country  which  gave  him  !)irth,  no  glory  that  he  cannot  appro- 
priate to  himsp/f  atone.  He  does  not  know  the  meaning  of  the  word  patriotkm  ■  it 
fms  no  place  in  his  vocabulary.  Is  it  not  strange,  that  with  all  these  facts  admittod  he 
phould  have  hopes  and  strong  expectations  of  becoming  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  this 
groat  nation  ?     And  yet  it  is  so. 

Every  paper  almost  that  wo  open  speaks  contemptuously  of  Van  Buren's  prospects 
lor  the  Presidency  ;  but  they  sp.jak  without  knowing  the  labors  of  the  man,  and  the 
vast  machine  of  intrigue  and  corruption  that  he  has  set  in  operation  in  every  part  of 
the  Umon  ;  they  speak  under  the  impression  that  the  people  will  ciioose  their  Presi- 
iloiit  wit,!out  reflecting  that  it  is  the  will  of  the  present  Executive  and  so  transmitted 
to  every  olhce  holder  throughout  the  land  that  Van  Buren  is /its  choice  for  the  suc- 
cession ;  they  do  not  see  the  fox  prowling  near  the  barn  ;  the  mole  burrowing  under 
fliound  ;  the  pilot  fish  who  plunges  deep  in  the  ocean  on  one  spot,  and  comes  up  at 
another  to  breathe  the  air.  If  it  were  the  free,  unbouizbt,  unthreatened  voice  of 
piililic  opinion,  his  chances  could  not  be  counted,  but  Van  Buren  trusts  uotbin.r  to  the 
jtood  opinion  of  the  people;  their  will,  their  wishes,  their  desires,  their  fralik  and 
unbiased  suflrages,  he  rejects  and  repudiates,  his  appeal  is  to  the  interests  and  the 
Win  of  men,  he  secures  those  whom  he  imagines  curdrois  public  opinion,  he  bu>s  (he 
,00.  •'''  """  '"'*'**'''  '*""'  aecotmtnhlo  for  the  rank  and  file— .iVf.  M.  Miah.  Star,  Oct. 


44 


CHARACTERS  OK  VAN  BUREN  BY  NOAH  AND  OTHERS. 


MARC 


The  same  M.  M.  Nonh  ihat  wrntH  the  above  on  the  one  side,  imblished  on  the 
20th  of  Fuh.  1H^>8,  iiH  foUdvvs,  on  t'otlicr  : 

"  Tho  <iii(istion  is  everywhere  asked,  'Who  will  be  our  next  povernor?  Where 
ahull  \\(!  find  ii  man  of  llie  talent,  the  l)usinesH  habit.*,  and  the  cidarjicd  viewH  of  Gov- 
ernor Clintnii  ?  '     Martin  Van   Unren  nei'ina  to  he  the  most  prominent 

citizen  for  thiit  important  ofTice.  He  is  niost  familiar  with  the  atVaiis  i)f  b^tat( — the 
most  ronvers.mt  with  its  polilical  relations.  His  talents  are  of  the  highest  order.  His 
intCL'rity  has  never  been  questioned,  and  his  niunners  ure  at  once  frank,  amiable  uiid 
popular." 

On  Sept.  20,  he  hoists  his  naj;  for  A'an  Biiren  and  Tiiroop,  adding — "  We  have 
now  two  candidates  of  the  (dd  democratic  school."  And  on  the  .^d  of  November, 
just  five  days  before  his  friend  the  fjovcrnor  elect  penned  the  forcfioiii}!  epistle,  he 
adds — "  'I'lie  whole  Stale  apjiears  animated  but  with  one  voice — it  is  A  an  Uuren 
and  Thr<io|) — both  incorruptible  re]>nldicans  of  the  old  school." 

When  shall  America  cease  to  encouraye,  sanction  and  a]i|ihiiid  the  Noiihs,  i3en- 
m.'tls,  l$nih'rs,  ^  an  Ihirens,  lloyls,  and  (,'roswells,  who  thus  make  sport  of  the 
dean  st  interests  of  a  lovely  country  ? 

"  Solomon  says  somewhere  or  other,  I  think  it  is  in  Castlcvetro's,  or  Castleniiovo'.s 
edition — is  not  there  such  a  one  '. — that  the  infatuation  of  a  nation  for  a  foolish 
minister  is  like  that  of  a  lover  for  an  uply  woman  :  when  once  he  opens  his  eves, 
he  wonders  what  the  devil  bewitched  him."  The  quotation  is  ft om  Horace  Wal- 
pole,  and  althouph  it  is  well  understood  that  Mr.  Tan  Buren  is  determined  to  leave 
no  stone  tmturned  lhat  may  be  in  the  way  of  his  serving  out  another  four  years,  yet 
we  would  fain  hojie  that  "  the  magician"  will  be  no  more  able  to  bewitch 
Columbia. 

I  was  rather  astonished,  in  1841,  to  see  the  following  description  admitted  as  a 
communication  under  the  editorial  head  of  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Post  : 

"  Mr.  Van  Buren  has  little  moral  faith  of  any  kind;  barely  enough  to  need  no  arti- 
ficial e.vcitation  of  body  or  mind.  This  deliciency  drives  him  into  an  artificial  code  of 
political  practice,  in  which  lie  refers  all  social  actions  to  individual  interests,  and  all 
political  actions  to  combinations  of  those  interests.  He  believes  fiinily  in  the  force  of 
maiuigement,  or  the  cool,  considerate,  artful  application  of  general  propositions  to  the 
e.xisting  temper  and  opinions  of  the  masses,  as  far  as  these  can  be  ascertained,  and 
without  any  leading  reference  to  their  propiiety  or  durability.  His  generalization  of 
social  phenomena  never  reaches  so  far  as  to  a  moral  power,  or  necessary  truth  in 
public  opinion;  but  he  simply  deals  with  the  collective  opinions  of  men,  as  manifested 
by  the  representatives,  or  otherwise  conspicuous  individuals  fiom  or  aniong  the  peo- 
ple, by  tneans  of  certain  easy  rules  anahigous  to  addition,  subtraction,  multiplication 
and  division  in  aiiilimetic  He  belongs  wholly  to  the  present  time,  and  may  be  said 
to  represent  /corfini,'- or  business  politics.  He  is  the  very  impersonation  of  party  in 
its  strictest  features  of  formal  discipline  and  exclusive  combination.  He  is  ceremo- 
nious, polite,  reserved  in  manner,  very  small,  and  extremely  neat  in  pcrsoi   " 


CHAPTER  XII. 


Letters,  by  Gov.  Van  Biircn,  and  Messrs.  Camhrekng,  Coddivgton,  J.  A.  Ham- 
illon,  Inshnm,  Dndlcy,  L.  Hoyt  and  Bitthr.  Tit  Hcallh  Offici — Drs.  Western  It, 
Havens,  Mauley,  Mci\er(n.  "  The  party''  saved  by  a  doitor.  Mr.  V  B.  afraid 
of  Col.  Pitrher.  Jes.^e  Hoyt  and  the  IJist.  Attorniy's  plaee.  Coddivgton  ojjke 
hunting.  He  is  ready  to  abandon  Jeichson  and  the  party,  if,  <^e.  Hoyt,  Bvthr 
and  V.  B.  on  office.  John  Dvir  in  danger.  On  plighting  faith  to  Mr.  V.  B. 
V.  B.'s  friendship  for  W.  A.  Duer. 

["2  sheets,  charge  M.  V.  B."     Post  mark,  "  Albany,  Feb.  8."] 
Private.  Albany,  Feb.  1,  1829. 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  New  York. 

My  Dear  Sir, — I  am  distressed  by  Lorenzo's  accounts 
pf  your  affairs  in  New  York.     When  will  the  Republican  Party  be  made  sensible  of 


the  indispensah 

they  succeed  tl 

ill  a  decree  pla 

iilijirtion  that  i 

C/i Illon  Bill,  a 

except  Charles 

your  city  vote, 

Uis,  and  Mr.  A 

upon  you  not  i 

Make  it  a  poin 

him  thett  1  havt 

imnts,  and  hop 

of  Dr.  Westerv 

and  much   was 

especially  from 

State,     i  shonl 

tribute  to  his  m^ 

Family,  and  a  1 

live  years  Depu 

mentality  of  Di 

uiuvearied  and  i 

the  station  but  a 

I  could  do   for  1 

myself  that  Dr. 

station.     I  cann 

admitted  ;  and  1 

which  he  broun 

pathy  for  him  w 

Mr.  Clinton  was 

officer,  and  was 

removal  if  made 

Jackson  man  at 

Butler  feels  le 

I  had  promisee 

Jesse  Hoyt  Esq. 
Dear  Sir- 
ground.     Some  \ 
by  letter  requesK 
bation,  replied,  tl 
interfere.     Brons 
.MARfJY  WAS 
RIMN  HIM.     'i 
tion.  which  it  bee 
Hutler  of  th3  imp 
My  friend  Campl 
have  Manley  rei 
advice,  therefore. 
Federalists  who  i 
young  man  who, 
times— who  has  : 
A  r  THE  HERf 
prompt  stand  tab 
WOl'LD  UNDC 
very  doubtful  wht 
with  the  oppositio 
rejected.     About 
^vi!i  fail.     If  so,  ] 
and  have  done  al 
part)  in  his  press 


MAUcy  SAVED  FROM  RUIN— WESTERVELT  DEFEATS  PITCHER.  45 

the  indispensable  necessity  of  nominating  none  but  true  and  tried  men,  so  that  when 
they  succeed  thoy  pam  somethu.jj  ?  The  same  game  that  is  playingVhl  yj,  S 
u,  a  degree  phiyed  here  on  the  nomination  of  Attorney  Genera  .      'll  on  I    "XS 

.™    f-       1  '^"I'.l.^"'''"'^^  'Y  T'^  <'li"tonian  in  both  hous.s  voted  aga  ,  i     /m 
except  Chales  Livingston    of  whose   vote   1   am  advised.     Mr.  Ji.  depended   mZ' 
your  city  vote    and  wouh  have  succeeded  if  he  had  got  it.     ( 'argiil   Ar  o  d    A  bur 
tus,  and  Mr.  AlkMi,  voted  for  him-beyond  that  uothmg  is  kntv, .  must  insisl 

l?r/r.         TT'°"'"^; '"y  "'"^^  *"  connection  with  ^this  subject  i.    any    brm 
MakcH  apouit  ,/  ^ou  phase  to  src  my  goo,1  frund  CODDINGTON    and  sa^  m 

nibate  to  his  memory.  W  estervelt  is  a  genUeman  and  a  man  of  tabu  of  a  V  i^ 
Family,  ami  a  Democrat  from  his  craclle."^  He  was  three  years  n  t  e  lio  phal'  3 
live  years  Deputy  Health  Ollicer,  until  he  was  cruelly  removed  1  r  ugh  t  rinst'u 
mentality  of  Dr.  Harrison,  who,  to  my  knowledge,  owed  his  a  .  ,o  mme  t  to  X 
unwearied  and  incessant  perseverance  of  Governor  Tompkins.  H  vens  h  s  been  S 
he  station  but  a  year  and  has  never  seen  a  case  of  yellow  lever  in  i  s  hfe  AlTtha 
.  .  f  ih°,  {^^  w"  ^'"^  ,^'  ^'r  "°^  ^  ^•^"•^^  *"^''d  in  the  world  )  was  to  ati.?J 
m>^elf  that  Dr.  Westervelt  and  the  Board  of  Health  would  retain  him  in  his  present 

Sled  •  a'n^l  "b  Z'''"''!  ^'^  ^^'"'^-^-  "'^  extraordinary  capacity  is  i  hS  y 
u  ^r^h  hp  h,  M  .P?'^'"'y' ^"'1  misfortune  in  regard  to  the  new  Medical  College 
u Inch  he  brought  into  existence  but  failed  to  get  a  place  in  it,  has  excited  a  svin 
P  hv  or  him  with  medical  men  in  all  parts  of  the  State  of  unprecedented  extenT 
Mr.  Clinton  was  so  sensible  of  it  that  he  once  actually  nominated  hfm  for  aSa 
#ce,',  and  was  upon  the  point  of  doing  it  again  the  very  week  when  iTd  ed  His 
removal  tf  made  cou/d  only  he  placed  on  poMcal  grovlds,  andasVu-asa-zcalo^^^ 

iJutler  teels  less  than  anv  of  his  friends.  ""it/. 

T  L   1  Yours  truly,  M    V    RT'RTTVr 

I  had  promised  not  to  interfere  and  did  not.  '      '  •"^"•^^^• 


Jesse  Hoyt  Esq. 

Dear  Sir— Tt  is  impossible  to  judge  correct! v  without  a  view  of  the  wbnl« 
pround.     Some  two  or  three  weeks  belbre  the  meetinrr  of  the  Le^i^h^ure    S?l^ 

lion   whi.L   ;  K        '°  circumstances  gave  color  to  the  clamour  about  Albany  dicta- 

on.  which  it  became  necessary  to  respect.     No  one  was  better  satisfied  than  Mr 

liutler  of  the  impolicy  and  positive  impropriety  of  my  interference  as  maUers  stood 

»,ce,ed.     Ab.„.  one  .hircl  of  thj  Senate  are  .tJ^TZ't  irSS  L°  fS,'",™ 
•J  k,™  1        •«   t""  °°'  """""I"  Havens.     I  have  been  very  Iriendl,  to  him 
»nl  ill,-™'  '"  *","""  MC's^y  10  secure  him  (with  good  eonduct  oi,  Ss 
m)  m  his  present  plaee,  and  I  ean  never  lend  my»lf  tolromotoSe  views  of 


40 


AIJ,  AROIIT  THE  'LOAVES  AND  KIRHES.' 


.1.  I. 


those  who  cnalesco  with  our  cnnmics  to  siiPrilico  Republicans  who  stay  at  homo, 
aud  trust  to  thi'ir  triciids  ihiil  llit-y  ">'iy  tfi't  their  ]:'  "ea.  /  sluni/d  not  hare  tiiirn 
Manlii/  the  offiir  orii^innl/i/  if  I  could  litirr  found  i  coinpcfint  Rrjmlilicdn  to  take  tt. 
IJut  l)einu  |iu]c()ni|)etent  iiud  poor  I  eould  not  thiuk  it  propi-r  to  remove  o,.e  (Iliu- 
touian  .);iciiH(iu  niiiu  to  put  in  ;inotlier.  Dr.  MrSrrrn  was  Ins  oirn  only  coniyditor. 
'I'arjree  iuis  had  as  little  to  do  with  the  mutter  as  you  have,  aud  less  than  Mr. 
Hloodirood,  i>r  about  as  much.  I  ref^nM.  the  state  of  atliiirs  with  you.  It  will  work 
itself  (de:ir  iu  the  end.  The  ireueral  remedy  is  aii  alteration  of  lli(Mim(M)f  your 
charter  eleelious.  Helieve  nu'  to  i)e,  very  sineerelv  your  friend, 

M.  V.  r.lIllKN. 
Aihauv,  Fel).  H,  IHOi). 
JJarluM'  yesterday  jiresenled   his  lormal  eomplaiut   ajruiust  tiie  Uecorder.      Jlo  be- 
haved with  ,',freat  propriety,  yiui  must  say  nothitii,'  of  my  views  iu  regard  to  Havens. 

(Post  mark  Washinfjtou.)  Washintrton,  7  Feb.,  lH-2!}. 

Dear  II. — I  have  your  lettt>r  for  the  Major  [Noah,]  who  has  not  yet  arrived— 
when  he  does  he  shall  have  it.  Whin  thr  trnir  nunrs  to  Ktrilic  theni  is  no  man  for 
whom  1  would  do  more  tiiau  for  luir  frieiul  Mr.  C  |(Joddini,niui,]  U(uie  deserves 
more,  than  he  does.  Yo\i  are  mistaken — Ohio  is  for  itself.  1  exptM't  soon  to  hear  the 
result  of  your  balloliuus.  Very  truly  yours, 

('.(;.  CAM lUlKLKXG . 

New  York,  Feb.  i:Jth,  1829. 

Dear  Hoyt — I  havi"  seen  Al.  ('oe,  ho  has  siirned  in  your  favor,  makiu>r  five  ;  and 
he  informs  mo  then?  is  no  doubt  of  y(Uir  fretlinfj  the  eight  that  voted  for  you  in 
caueus — and  in  addition  1  havi;  no  donbt  you  will  get  Jjce,  which  is  all  that  is 
reipiired. 

You  no  doidil  remember  what  I  told  you  three  weeks  before  the  election  of 
Mayor,  'I'hot  liou^nr  must  and  should  hr  the  Mayor — that  I  srldoni  failal  in  what  I 
undcrlook  in  nirnrst  (i)articularly  for  other  people — how  it  will  be  with  myself  I 
know  not)  in  thr  win/  oj'  iiolitirs. 

'The  result  will  be  tiiis  in  the  end.  You'll  be  District  Attorney  and  Sherman 
Clerk. 

Noah's  having  gone  to  \Yashiugton,  several  of  those  who  voted  for  him  in  caucus 
have  let't  him,  under  the  impression  he  will  get  something  there. 

His  claims  are  certainly  far  greater  than  Sherman's  and  1  have  not  the  least 
doubt  he  would  have  suceeediHl  l)ut  for  this  impression. 

You  may  rest  assured  I  siiall  leave  nothing  undone  that  can  be  done  fairly  and 
honorably  to  promote  your  interest. 

ticneral  Dull'  tJnnMi  was  elected  Printer  to  the  House  on  Trusday  by  a  majority 
of  two  votes,  and  tieueral  Jaeksmi  was  in  the  neighbourhood  and  expected  in 
Washington  on  \Yediu>sday. 

I  observe  that  our frimd  Silas  Wriiyht,  Jr.  Esq.,  has  reached  Albany. 

I  want  ymi  to  go  with  Cargill  and  Arnold  to  the  Chancellor,  to  Judge  Marcy, 
the  ('om[)ir(dler,  and  Secretary  of  State. 

If  they  do  not  liki;  to  sign  my  naked  application,  you'll  please  draw  up  a  joint 
letter  /'()/• //('w/  to  sitxn  in.  my  j'aror,  addressed  to  our  two  Senators  in  Con^t^ress, 
stntinl:  thei/  are  ]>ersonally  aciiuainted  with  nw,  and  reeonuni  ndintr  me  as  a  suitable 
person  to  Jill  the  oljiee  of  Sum  i/or  and  Ins/urtor  of  the  Port  of  Xew  York. 

This  I  want  you  to  attend  to  without  delay,  as  they  may  get  committed. 

Recollect  that  T.  L.  Smith  (the  Calhoun  man,)  is  a  candidate — don't  let  him  or 
his  friends  know  that  I  am  an  applicant  until  after  we  get  all  the  signers  we  can. 

If  any  thinsx  of  interest  occurs  I  will  write  you  again.  Yours  truly, 

"  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq."  '  J.  I.  CODDINGTON. 


We  had  uud 
see  in  this  niorr 

Alderman  Ce 
liiin,  and  is  will 

( '(donel  J{obe 
from  \V  asliingtc 
Van  Uuren's  be 

I  have  availed 
iinur  (iideon  Tu 


12ic.     P'm'k. 
Hoyt,  Esq.,  J 

Dear  Sir — T  ai 
Irarn  that  Mr.  'I 
impropriety  of  y 
wlii!tlier  liom  'l\ 

It  is  not  a  now 
other  stales,  by  | 

I  remeinb(;r  sij 
I  was  at  Albany, 
Members  was  no 
ollurs  from  gcttii 

I  shall  be  perft 
|)r(i|)er  to  adopt. 

IJefon!  tlie  rec( 
(liiy.     Ho  asserte 

He  cannot  nor 

I  calliul  to  day 
per,  and  informec 
(would  to-day  bi 
morning,)  and  en 
getting  that  numl 

I  observ(^  you 
Washington. — W 
As  I  have  got  Al 
two  Senators  frc 
Miiir  (General)  t( 
ImU  as  yon  say  no 
If  be  has  not  si 

I  have  one  mon 
prohiibly  leave  Al 


in  a  long  letter 
fiiiifidential  letter 
.'nekson   Cabintit  i 
\  .  B. — he  then  w 

"  I  have  to  renc 
as  near  as  you  car 

"  P.  S.  1  open  \ 
Km  was  that  Gen. 


Address,  "  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Albany."     Per  G.  Tucker,  Esq. 

'•  SUNDAY  morning.  ^  New  York,  Feb.  10,  1829. 

*•  Dear  Hoyt, — We  had  a  full  meeting  THIS  morning  al  Head  Quarters — Al- 
derman C.  of  the  first  was  there — also  Judge  0.  (1  mean  his  brother  Jesse,)  Capt. 
Coffin,  &c.  &e. 


Per  Mail— "Jessi 
eents,  red  ink. 

"  Confidential. 
My  dear  Sir— 
My  interview  wi 


.1.  I.  CODDINOTON— DKMOCRACY   AS  HE  UNDERSTOOD  IT. 


47 


V\ela,l  und.r  ccnsideration  the  Major's  letter  from  Washington,  which  vou'll 
.n.  m  tin.  n.orn.n^.  .s  K„.,u,n.r-al.o  yo,.r  n..minati„„  for  District  Attor^ev 
Ai<i.rnmn(..|,ra  .ied.n.s  sif^ninif  a„y  papfr,  but  says  th.-y  i<„ow  J  ere  to  find 

(  ..l.m..l  Robert  Arnold  ol  Now  Jors.y  d.ncd  with  mo  ;.,  day.     He  .sTst  arrived 

\  cry  Kcspectfully,  &c.  J.  I.  CODDINGTON. 

Address  "Jesse  Iloyt,   Esq.,  care  of  Lorenzo 


I'Ji'-.     P''»'k.   N.  Y.  20  Feb. 
lloyt,  Es(i.,  Albany." 

It  IS  not  a  mnv  thinfr.     J  have  known  it  to  be  done  both  in  this  State   and  also  i„ 
other  states,  by  persons  applying,  for  ofhces  under  the  General  Government 
I  remember  s.f,nnnj,>r  f/,rjh,>u/s  of  several  of  the  (.'ountry  Membe  Sthe  winter 

,.r!,;'"ll.';:d,!;f '^''^  ''^^"''"'  "''^'  =^"y  ^"--  y^-  --^  ^^y  other  fnends  may  think 

.l;i"'''lIc'ten.Hi'l.l,lirtl\'=.'''  ''^'r.  ^  ^^^  ^'-  ^'-  "f  ">«  1«^  «"  Change  yester- 
(u\      lie  asstrted  boldly  that  he  would  support  you  for  District  Attorney 
lie  cannot  nor  dare  not  back  out  -«^'»uiti  .luorney. 

W^,sllimnn;/"vVh'^'  ''  ^'P'  ^  '""'•^■^  ^''^^^  ""f  <'"''"d  the  Governor  is  going  to 
Uasluugton— VVhy  even  our  opponents  know  it  here.     .  ^     ^ 

As  1  have  got  Allen  and  Hopardus,  would  it  not  be  well  enough  to  aet"on'r  c^lh^Y 
If  be  has  not  signed  should  like  you  to  get  him. 

Your  friend  J.  I.  CODDINGTON. 

^"!SdcSJSS;^;m'^l'M''';t'r'V",:"''''  '■  '■  ^^"'^'""^ton  says  he  has  had  a 
."J;,.    r'.u.-. ".'''""  -l^^-'  ••*  <^-'  ^-ish  "'  announcmff  who  the  members  of  the 

Codd'n  bids  Hoyt  take  the  list  to  Gov< 


.|;irks()ii   r'abint!t  were   (it  was  correct) 
t .  n. — he  then  winds  up — 

.n^J^y^rissuivrBu^^^^ 


^",ftl!'l;i'Lir'  ""-^''  ^^"'•'  ^*''^">'-"    Po^t-"-^!^-^   N.  Y..  89th  M.arch   1?^ 

"^'"mhe^kw     T.  •     .  .  New  York,  March  29th,  1829. 

My  dear  bir— I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  25th 

My  mterview  with  Mr.  Van  Buren  waa  not  quite  as  satisfactory  as  1  could  wish 


4ft 


OFFICE  HUNTING — COODINGTON  READY  TO  REBEL  ! 


or  indnod  h;ifl  :i  ri^ht  to  expect,  after  hearing  what  Silas  Wriglit,  Jr.  said  to  Arnold 
I  will  cxpiaiii  I'urlhc^r  when  1  soi-  y*'"- 

It  111(11/  (ill  nil!  riri/  irrll,  lint  J  am  prepared  to  hear  ofNorili,  nr  Ilertnr  Craig  rcccie- 
iiil;  the  (ippointnient . 

You  IK)  d()iil)t  li:iv(!  iicard  ere  iliis  that  Major  Svvartwout,  of  llolioken,  ia  to  hn 
CoUi'cior  of  New  ^  ork.     Hi'  l(dd  iiii^  ho  himself. 

TliL' (ti'iicral   liad  proiiUHcd   ii  to  liiiii,  |)rovi(ii'd   he  could  maUe  ci-rtaiii  arranpc 
mciits,  which   he  says   he   very  aoon  accouiphshed,  and  S(!Ut  on — and  uxpecis  liis 
(^oinmis.'sion  on  'I'M/sday  morninir.     Ihit  notwithstanding  all  he  says,  Alley,  Fish, 
and  otiiurs  donl  helievc  it,  or  rather  wont  Ijclieve  it. 

Frank  O^^den,  it  is  said,  will  (fo  to  Liverpool.  You  well  recollect  that  Catnbreleng 
exue.etx  this  iiiniointinent. 

Thus  (if  true)  are  TWO  OF  THE  VERY  PEST  OFFICES  in  the  gift  of  the 
Government  GIVEN  TO  PERSONAL  FRIENDS,  and  without  even  consulting 
his  CaJiinef. 

There  is  considerable  dissatisfaction  here  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  not  at  Wasli- 
infrton  sooner. 

Messrs.  Haili^y,  .Vlley,  Bloodpood  and  Fish,  and  others,  called  on  Governor  Van 
Buren  on  Monday,  and  expressed  to  him  what  they  deemed  the  wishes  of  the  Party—- 
that  Thoinj/soii,  l)u'  r,  Jj-c.  ought  to  lie  removed. 

The  Governor  told  tiiem  that  he  had  received  a  long  letter  from  you  rcspectine; 
removals — but  parlieularly  about  the  District  Attorney. 

It  IS  said  ('.  I).  CoMeu  is  a  candidate  forDuer's  place.  If  so,  there  is  another 
personal  friend  of  the  General's  in  your  way. 

IF  THE  PRESIDENT  P/.RSUES  THIS  COURSE  THE  PARTY  IS 
RUINED,  AND  THE  SOONER  WE  BEGIN  TO  BUILD  UP  A  NEW 
THE  BETTER.* 

Let  mc  hear  from  you  again  soon,  and  believe  me  to  be  yours  truly, 

J.  I.  CODDINGTON.t 


James  A    Hamilton,  Acting  Secretary  of  State,  Washington,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at 
New  York. 

Department  of  State,  March  10,  182!). 
Dear  Sir — I  have  with  pleasure  received  your  letter.  As  to  Mr.  Duer,  I  will  say 
to  you,  as  I  said  to  his  Brother-in-law  Mr.  Bunner — "  While  1  am  not  called  upon 
to  make  an  edbn  to  displace  Duer,  his  conduct  on  an  occasion  of  great  feeling  and 
delicacy,  (the  controversy  with  Mr.  King  about  the  '  Hamilton  Papers")  was  not 
such  as  to  occasion  regret  to  me  if  he  should  loose  his  otficc,  or  to  induce  mc  to  turn 
a  finger  to  retain  him."  I  agree  xcith  you  entirehj  in  the  propruty  ofmaking  chnngn 
FOR  THE  REASON  YOU  SUGGEST. 

With  very  great  regard,  your  friend  and  servant, 

JAMES  A.  HAMILTON. 


Franked,  S.  D.  Ingham,  Treasury  I)e])arlment. 

"Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  New  York." 
Dear  Sir — I  have  received  yours. 

The  District  Attorneys  have  \isually  been  recommended  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury— but  often  the  applications  have  been  made  directly  to  the  President. 

*  Coililiiiirloii  .iflrrwunls  srol  tlii'  N'ov  Yorls  Posi-cillke.  Il  is  evident  llial  pelf  w:is  Ilie  nilint;  principlf 
wilh  lilin.  Hiiil  il  iioi  lec'ii,  ho  wmilil  iicil.  Iiuve  lireaiiil  of  ili'Hei'liiii.' llinKe  lie  li^il  acled  willi.  ami  eiiilciiv 
onw'S  to  raise  a  mutiny  in  the  repnhlioan  camp,  liecaiise  (ieneral  Jacksen  had  uiven  away  one  or  twn  nut  "I 
fid.l.Mil  nllices.  lie  is  fnnd  el"  intrimie  and  manaminenl,  lienee  hi.s  friend.-iiip  fur  Van  Hiiren.  At  the  Slli  nl 
Janiinry  dinner,  at  Tamniany  Hall,  tliis  year,  his  toast  was  "Governor  Van  I5tireu~/a'8  Jjdditij  as  a  jiur 
(i,si//i— his  talent  and  iuteitri'iy  as  a  slalesnian.  Iiave  si'cnred  liirn  the  chon'e  (d'lhu  people.'' 

t  Thil  .Alessrs.  Coddniclonanil  Swariwonl  were  upon  as  iulimale  and  friendly  li'rins  wilh  each  other  as 
Messrs.  Swart  wont  and  Hoyt.  at  the  time  when  ('oddin;;lo[i  tlncalened  to  mnliny  and  huild  up  a  new  party 
to  oppose  Jackson's  measui-es.  is  evident  from  the  folUnviu'-'  anions  other  private  letteiM: 
Mr.  J.  I.  Coddineton.  to  Collector  Swartwoul.  New  York,  May  fjth.  1^'29. 

Dear  Sir— Mr  Isaac  Warren  is  /Ac  Old  Demmratic  RpimliHctni  in  whose  favor  I  s|)nke  to  you  someliim; 
since.  He  has  been  trying  to  zci  an  appoinlnicnl  fmin  Mr.  'i'lioiiipson.  the  last  seven  years— and  !ii'|r  iif 
may  now  succeed.  Mr.  White  and  ."Mr.  IMcDeriuuti  have  also  requested  mo  to  speak  to  you  in  their  favor 
for  a  situation.  /  hatt  also  to  request  that  so  ahle  and  cllicienl  an  oflicer  as  Mr.  Nathaniel  lUnit  moy  vol 
be  removed.  Yours  most  respectfully,  J.  I.  CODDINOTON. 


As  to  the  H'. 
com.'s  us  to  sjjt 
stood — the  forii 

E.\cu8?  shori 

Washington, 


Jesse  Hoyt,  Es 

dated  the  !)th  in 
cxcepli  ig  youit 
.Vtlorney.  Mr. 
odii'c  in  quest io 
Buren  will,  of  ( 
hive  written. 
,11  1  !asi  from  oil 
adjourn  this  dm 
no  doubt,  be  an 
The  ap|)ointir 
act  on  are  of  a  i 
your  faiihful  ant 

P.  S.     I  shal 
most  probably. 


Mv  Dear  Br 

of  District  Alto 

Duller.     It  seen 

with  her  about  t 

ever.    What  the 

come  to  no  detei 

opinions  and  feel 

tcr  sinc3  he  saw 

conversation  betv 

and  Mr.  Butler  t 

li3  now  says,  wh 

Duer.     He  thinl 

sjoh  arguiTients, 

feeling  of  resent 

IN  THEM   TC 

o')servcd,  on  the 

that  morning,  an( 

I  further  understi 

Before  much  had 

in.    I  am  a  good 

h".  will  not  lend  t 

John  Duer.     He 

1)9  his  real  or  pre 

interest ;  Init  stra 

iw'isure,  is  the  on 

qffii'c  within  his  di 

ought  then  to  pre 

struggling  for  the 

benefit  of  our  opp 

From  the  maimer 

inclined  to  think, 

Mr.  Van  Buren 

far  as  Kinderbgok 


OFFICE   SEEKIXO THE    DUERS— FOLLOWERS. 


49 


As  to  the  sovonl  particulars  notiro.l  in  vour  favor.   I  can  only  sav  that  it  be- 

stood — Ihc  tdrm'T  camuit  be. 
Excus?  short  letters— necessity  compels  me  to  be  very  brief. 

Washington,  I,  Marel,  "2'.K     ''"'"  ""'""'^'  '''•  ^^  ^^'^'"•^^^• 

Jesse  Iloyt,  Esq.,  New  York.  Wa.sh.noto.v  C;,tv,  March  14,  182Q. 

in,,i  .1  .  <i.i  •  .  '^'i^'  ^^'■■,^"  ''^"''~'  ''^^i'  '*f''n  liivored  with  vour  csteemrd  bttcr. 
d  to,    ho  !  th  ms       |„  n.ply  to  your  question,  I  «iil  state,  thatfrom  no  other  person 

Atlori  ey.  Mr.  .Sa  |.,r,l  tells  me  he  has  also  receivd  a  letter  from  vou,  and  that  iho 
olice  tu  q  les  ,0...  the  hestovvmrnt  of  it.  is  uith  the  Department  of -.State;  Mr.  v' u 
Buren  w,  I,  ul  .-mnse.  have  niueh  to  say  in  it.  and  to  whnm  you  observe  ihat  vou 
Ime  \  ritten.  I /h rr  >n//  nol  l,r  an,,  nnwrals  Jhu,,  ofjlrr  hrforv  the  S,nat,  aclmv?n^, 
a  1,-asl  Irom  ofTiees  in  your  city,  as  I  am  inlormed.  Jt  was  expected  that  we  sboild 
adjourn  this  day  s,n,  ,l,r  .-  ,„,  we  meet  a..„n  on  .Mon.lav,  when  there  will,  I  So 
no  doubt,  be  an  absidute  a(l|onrnincnt. 

The  appointmMits  are  all  announced  in  the  papers-  '!.e  few  nominations  left  to 
act  on  are  o    a  imlitary  natnre-J}r..vets,  &e.     Wiii,  .peat  nvspect.  I  am.  de.r  Si 
your  faiihlnl  and  ob.'d't  serv'i,  CirA.S.  E.  DUDLEY 

mosi  probably.""  '"'""  ^'""  '''""""■''  ^'*'  ""''""  ^■""  '"^  ^'''■'  ^""'^  ""  '">':^'^3^  ''°"'=' 

Mr.  Lorenzo  Iloyt  to  his  brother  Jissc. 

\Tv.  n^.„  Tj  r,  •     ,  Albany,  March  17,  I62r>. 

of  Ihstrut  Attorney  amonp  the  rest,  and  1  have  seen  and  read  the  one  to  A  rv 
Dur/cr.  It  seems  to  me  to  have  been  labour  lu.st,  for  at  the  last  conversation  I  had 
wt2\  ""  ^-V'^ f'"'^"""  ^^'P'-'di''""-  -I'e  seemed  as  iirm  in  her  opfcsitio  as 
c\er.  What  they  will  ultimately  conclude  about  it,  I  don't  know  ;  thev  will  probably 
come  to  no  determination  at  present.  I  also  saw  your  letter  to  Mr.  Butler.  Hi's 
opimons  and  leelinjrs  had  undergone  a  great  change  r,/^out  the  District  Attornn,  r>  d- 
tcr  sinC3  he  ^uv  you.    I  met  him  in  at  Mr.  V.  Unren-s,  Saturday  afternoon,  and  iho 

Td  Mr    I'i^;', W  r'"  r  ''^■■'l'  't'  r''.  '^'""^'  =^^^'J«"tally  turned  upon  that'sub  eo  ° 
and  Mr.  Butler   hen  observed ,  that  he  began  to  think  quite  differently  about  it ;  and 

Ducr      lie  tl  inks  your  last  letter  places  the  subject  on  a  strong  ground  ;  and  t'Lt 
.uh  arguments   «r/,/,v..s-.„r/  foMr    Van  livrm,  n-ould  l,e  rrr,  apt  1o  /.,nd  a  nrow 

L\    THEM    TO   BE    HONEST   AND  TIUIE   TO   HIM.      Mr.   Van  Buren 

a)served,  on  the  occasion  that  I  have  mentioned,  that  he  had  had  a  letter  from  you 

hat  morning,  and  that  you  had  set  about  the  matter  with  a  very  determined  s,  irit 

I  further  understood  him  to  say,  that  he  should  not  interfere,  rsplcially  to  save  Lcr 

liefore  much  had  been  said  on  the  subject  we  were  interrupted  by  persons  ccmipa 

r;».;/Tf/'7  /        «"n'rised  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  can  be  neutral  in  this,  and  th!t 

'>'     'tl  not  kml  the  utmost  weight  of  hs  inflvencc  to  displace  from  office  such  mm  as 

M    Ihier.     He  ought  to  be  satisfied  by  this  time,  that  that  class  of  men  can  never 

)9  his  rea   or  pretended  friends,  any  further  than  is  neces.sary  to  promote  their  own 

I  erest ;  hn   strange  as  it  mm,  seem,  I  do  klieee  that  his  fear  of  the  effect  of  such  a 

m-isiur   is  the  on/y  motn-elhat  wo,,/d  prevent  his  rorfrrring  vpon  \V  A.  Jhnr  cm, 

office  wihin  his  disposal.     \  on  will   probably  see  him  when  in  New  York,  and  veil 

oiigtii   lien  to  present  your  views  to  him  in  the  plainest  manner.     If  we  have  been 

s.ruggling  for  the  success  of  Jackson  and  the  aa/nisition  of  political  power,  for  the 

J-nent  of  our  opponents,  I  wish  to  know  it,  so  that  J  may  'know  how  to  act  hereafter. 

1  rom  the  manner  in  which  the  President  has  exercised  his  power  thus  far    I  am 

inclined ^to  think,  that  he  will  go  "  the  whole  Hog." 

far^I^'Kinl'^K''T  ^''\r'''f  '"""''"?  f^'^'^^'  "  o'<^i"^k.    Mr.  Builer  went  with  him  as' 
lar  as  Ivmderhgok  or  Hudson.     W  rite  me. 

,  .  Yeius  affdiuugnately  L.  n 


I    i 


i   I 


oO      BROWNSON — SWARTWOVT — TO  THE  VICTORS  BELONG  THE  SPOILS. 


[Aildrpsscd  to  N.  York — poet  murk  Albany.] 
Jesse  Iloyt.  V.»-\.  All)any,  March  KHh,  1821). 

Mv  l)c;ir  Sir— 1  have  not  hern  riblo  to  furnish  ninnrrilcT  \V;il\vort!i  with 

a  eopy  of 's  iiiis'A<T,  my  nii;riii;il  cojiy  liimntr  put  inlu  tluil  i-t  lohratcd  reofp- 

taile  of  Chancery  l'a|ii'rs,  I'niin  which  iinthintr  is  ever  to  lie  withdrawn — the  draw 
or  hiisiiei  hnnket,  (1  don't  know  which,)  of  liis  vcneralilo  imdcci  fisor.  .... 
1  wish  1  hnd  time  to  say  soinethinsj  of  your  l;ist  Utter,  hut  as  tlic  hour  for  eh  sine 
the  mail  is  at  hand  1  must  defer,  and  if  I  deler  the  whole  matter  will  tumble  ii.to 
liimlto,  for  I  never  can  undertake  to  answer  an  old  letter.  Von  do  me  injustice  in 
your  mod.' ol'statinir  the  ease.  As  between  you  and  .hdin  l)u(  r  1  i-ever  ( an  hesi- 
tate You  are  not  onlv  the  ^»/'/'.s7  friend.  I'Vt  inns/  iissiiritl/i/  llAVK  HIE 
STRONGKS'P  POSSIHLH  CLAIMS  IPON  "SlK—iimiiis  n-huh  1  hope  to  ion- 
vinii  i/oii  I  hiirr  nnt  fnriiottrn,  and  ran  ni n r Jofij;' I 

Mrs  B  continues  to  think  illy  not  only  of  the  Washinffton  iieo|ilc,  but  of  your 
arouments  in  its  favor.  1  shall  submit  the  matter  wholly  to  her  decision,  though 
my  jud<;ment,  not  less  than  my  inclination,  teli.s  me  she  is  wrong;  in  some  of  her 
objections — if  not  in  all.  Most  truly  yours, 

^  B.  F.  BUTLER. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


Broivmnn  on  Prnforotiomt.  Sti-arttvont  to  Hoyt.  Offirc  Hunting. — "  to  the  Victors 
brhng  the  SlpoiLi /"  Jesse  advised  to  *'  push  like  a  Dciit."  He  does  so.  Addresses 
Secy.  Van  Till  ren.  Bryan  Far  raU.  Hilp  your  frit  nds.  Hcroiis — '•'■  Hood  nolhj 
shed.^'  lietril'Vlirr  jvsiire,  dfc.  RiidoJpJi  Bvnmr's  largain.  Gofirermvr's  Ut. 
Jesse  hits  hard — thnatais  to  issne  '■^  tlie  LiJ'e  and  Advattvrcs  oj'  John  Lucr"— 
Likes  Clay  and  Jackson's  boldness. 

The  reader,  now  admitted  behind  the  scenes,  cannot  fail  to  rccopnize  the  wonder- 
ful accuracy  of  Mr.  Brownson's  views  as  to  the  inevitable  effect  which  the  return  to 
power  of  Mr.  Yan  Bnren  and  his  followers  must  have  had.  Mr.  Polk's  election  is 
but  the  least  of  two  evils,  but  it  is  the  least. 

"  Considerate  men,  who  stood  by  Mr.  'Van  Burcn,  and  made  no  inconsidernble  sa- 
crifites  to  sustain  him,  felt  that  all  was  not  lost  ;  nay,  that  tlie  gain  iiiiijlit,  possibly, 
in  I  lie  lonii  run,  oveib.ilance  the  loss.  Mr.  V;m  Bmeii,  they  felt,  wa.«  ut  of  the  way, 
and  this,  in  itself,  was  no  tiillinfr  jtrain.  Hope  sprang  up  ufiesli,  .ind,  in  tlie  bnoyanty 
of  their  heart.*,  they  were  di-pos^ed  to  treat  liini  with  all  icndcn.ess,  to  tread  lifilitly 
on  his  fiults,  to  fortret  the  injuries  he  indicted  on  ilie  Republican  cause,  and  to  niuij- 
nify,  as  niucli  IIS  possible,  his  virtues  and  public  services.  .  .  .  But  the  le-appear- 
anee  of  Mr.  Van  Buien  on  tlie  stajie  ehan;;c9  the  vhole  nspeet  of  alluiis.  He  lomes 
not  alone,  hut  as  the  chief  of  a  band,  «hicli  the  (ountiy  hud  de\ouily  loped  was  dh- 
perse  I,  never  to  be  collecied  a^ain.  lie  conies  us  the  representative  of  the  same  old 
(orrupt  and  ioiruptin<r  system  of  paity  tactics,  followed  by  tie  Fiin.e  swuini  of  gietdy 
spoilsmen,  with  their  appetite  for  i)lunder  shaipencd  by  the  few  yens'  ab.stinenie 
they  liive  been  forced,  thiouuh  the  remains  of  the  original  virtue  and  patriotism  of 
the'coiintrv,  to  p,-acti.<e.  fJratify  his  wishes,  lestoie  him  to  the  place  he  is  personally 
soli,  irin;r,  and  we  lose  all  that  was  irood  in  the  defeat  of  the  Republican  party  in  1840, 
and  retain  only  the  evil  ;  wc  resfoie  what,  with  an  almost  unheard  of  etlorl,  the  coiin- 
tiv  had  tliiowii  off,  and  place  the  Republican  party  in  llie  condition  in  which  it  must 
bo  defeated  ayain,  or  the  country  irietrievably  ruined." 


Collector  Swartvvout  to  Collector  Hoyt. 

Washiiifrlon,  14  March,  1829. 
My  Dear  Jessika — Your  very  beautiful  and  intirc  interesling  letter  of  the  6th  was 

received   in  disc  cour.«c  of  law.     1  hold  to  ymir  dortrine  t'v/iy,  thnt  NO  T D 

RASCAL  WHO  MADE  USE  OF  HIS  OFFICE  OR"  ITS  PROFITS  lor  the 
purpose  of  keeping  Mr.  Adams  in,  and  Gen.  Jaekson  out  of  jower,  is  aititkd  to  tli' 
hast  lenity  or  mrrey.  snre  that  of  hanging.     So  we  think  both  alike  on  that  head. 
'\Vhetkei  or  not,  I  shall  gel  any  tiling  in  the  general  scramble  for  plunder,  re- 


n  iins  to  ho  proi 
;ie  h  ipH  Ke  'per 

1  rather  think 
!i)  ill.'  place  you 
V(nir  man,  it' 
.i(Iici>r  in  the  (mi 
\1  :k  •  viMir  suit 
(i:iin  sliLrhtlv,  a 
i:.\|)iM't  any  thiiir 
win'lil.  havintr  m 
new  men  ;  the 
travel.  I've  so] 
iissiire  you  if  I  e 
I'arry  any  weisjli 
but  the  boast  is  i 
111  New  York. 

In  seriousness 
Mr.  C<d.  Hainilt 
ability,  rest  assu 

Tell  Robert  S 
.Mr.  H.  on  busin 
home  in  two  or  t 
and  believe  since 


Dear  Sir, — T 

Albany  Moiulav 

shall  not  be  able 

I'.'died  every  day 

him  to-dav,  but  I 

Hotel.     His  nam 

13.  Astor.     He  h 

hrly  his  characto 

temper,  for  whicl 

Priinri  in  this  pa 

but  of  this  you  ar 

is  married,  but  w 

Cdncerns,  and  wh 

which  you  may  ( 

little  of  selfishnei 

"  Mr.  Yan  Beure 

triitli  to  you,  and 

opinion  ;   for,  if  I 

it  \o:\ir  without  ab 

n'ss."     I  take  it  : 

you  will  not  coiisi 

said  froin  the  con 

tralion  who  woult 

democratic  party 

taken  too 

trine  in  theory,  I 
p?oplj  to  whom  \v 
sentiments  of  the 
sustained  who  aidi 
people  on  this  sub 
yield  to  political  [ 
Bowne  excepted)' 
Will  |iut  in  jeopa 
Mr.  Peter  Stajrg-  n 
removed.     We  ha 


*  Prsn  LIKE  A  DEVIL  '—THE  ADVICE  FOLLOWED. 


61 


1S2I)  "  T  '"r"  ^"""'"  •.  ''"/J  ""'"'  ^"^"  ^  "''•'"•    ■^Vhat  it  will  be  is  not  yet  so  certain ; 

•"'<"■  ;iL'hii)H  K»! -per  ol  lilt-  Morircii  liuhl  house. 

1  riitlinr  liiinU  M;t>s;i  IN.mp  m.iii.U  a  smart  chance  of  going  nomcwhcre,  perhaps 
U)  III.'  pliici-  villi  liiivc  iriinid  or  lo  Ih-  Ihnl.  ' 

Voiir  nmii.  If  you  svuut  a  plaw.  is  Col.  Hamilton.  He  being  now  the  second 
ili(vr  m  the  C.ovornmM.t  ol  the  Lniou,  atid  in  all  probability,  our  ne.M  l're«ideut 
\l;k-  voiir  suit  to  him,  then,  and  you  will  pet  uh;it  vou  vviiut.  I  know  .Mr.  Ii.e- 
tiim  .•iiiirhth-,  and  wouM  reeommend  voii  to  Fl'SII  LIKF,  A  DKVIL,  if  vou 
ox|.i'i.t  any  Ihinn  from  ihat  (juarler.  I  can  do  vou  no  good  in  any  quarler  ol'llie 
wnrld.  i.avin.r  miu  ity  httle  lulluence  beyond  Iloboken.  The  groat  goers  are  the 
lU'w  men  ;  the  old  troopers  being  :i'l  spavimtd  and  riiiuboned  from  previous  hard 
travel.  1  ve  L'ot  lh(;  hots,  the  fet-loek.  hip-joint,  gravel,  halt  and  founders:  aiul  I 
assure  you  it  I  e.m  only  keep  inv  own  ienfi-s,  1  shall  do  well  ;  but  Tin  darned  if  I  can 
|-:irry  any  weisrht  with  me.  When  I  left  home.  I  thouchi  mv  nag  s..mid  and  airouff, 
but  the  beast  is  rather  broken  down  here.  Ill  tell  youinurc  about  it  when  1  see  vou 
Ml  INew  York. 

In  s;-riousness,  my  dear  Sir,  your  support  must  eome  from  Mr.  Van  Beurcn  and 
-Mr.  t-ol.  llainiitoii;  1  eoiild  not  help  you  anv  more  than  your  ch'rk  ;  if  1  had  the 
ability,  restiLssured  I  would  do  it  without  prompting. 

Tell  Uoherl  Sands  that  i  am  ollended  with  hiinriie  promised  to  write  to  me  and 
Mr.  11.  on  business,  and  he  has  not  done  it.  My  best  respects  to  him.  ]  shall  bo 
home  m  two  or  three  days.  Till  when,  do  all  ybu  can  to  im|)rovc  your  fortunes, 
and  believe  sincerely   Yours  SAM.  SW  \RTWOUT 


Mr.  Jesse  Iloyt  to  Hon.  Martin  Van  Burcn. 

r,         a  .  ,  Sainrday.  11  o'clock,  A.  M..  March  21,  1829. 

L)EAR  S5IR,— I  am  under  the  necessity  id'  leaviuff  this  evening  so  as  to  be  in 
Albany  Mondav  mormnir  at  the  opening  of  the  Court  of  Chancery,  and  I  presume  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  see  you.     The  man  whom  I  had  spoken  to  as   your  ra/r,  has 
f<.ille<l  every  day  this  week  to  see  when  you  was  to  be  in  town,  but  Thave  not  seen 
him  to-dav,  but  I  have  left  word  at  my  office  if  he  calls  to  semi   him  to  the  City 
tlotel.     Ills  name  is  lin/an  Farral/.     Uv  has  good  reeoinmendations  from  Mr.  \V. 
i.  Astor.     He  has  lived  with  Mr.  Prime,  from  uhoin  I  have  learned  more  pnrticu- 
iriyhischaractor.     He  is  very  capable,  sober,  liouc.t-his  only  fault  is  his  bad 
temper,  foi-  which  Mr.  Prime  diseharjzed  him— but  a  man  who  woul.l   not  suit  Mr. 
frnn^  in  this  particular,  would   never  have  oeea>ion  to  exhibit  that  failing  to  vou, 
m  ol  tilts  you  arc  to  judge.     As  a  genera!  rule  it  is  an  objection  to  a  servant.  '  He 
IS  married,  but  would  leave  his  family  here.     This  is  all  t  have  to  say  on  domestic 
concerns,  and  what  else  I  have  to  say  is  not  upon  subjects  of  lees  importance,  but 
whieh  you  may  (and.  as  the  world  goes,  perhaps  justly.)  consider  as  p.-.,-ta\m£r  a 
little  ot  selfishness— but,  as  Mr.  Richie  said  the  other  day  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Noah, 
■■  Mr.  \  an  i3eureu  mus<  tell  the  truth  to  General  Jackson/'     So  I  ought  to  tell  the 
triitli  to  you,  and  T  will  do  so,  at  tli;j  hazard  of  torfeiting  your  confidence  and  good 
opinion  ;  lor,  it  I  have  it  now  I  am  under  sc-rious  apprehensions  that  I  cannot  retain 
It  long  without  abaudoaing  all  political  hon(>sty,  consistency,  and  "  .sVw/i-/,/  fonrard- 
ws.<!.       1  take  it  tor  granted  that  all  who  do  not  support  the  present  administration 
you  will  not  consider  your  friends,  and  of  course  will  lose  your  confidence.     1  have 
siiui  Irom  the  commencement  of  the  contest  that  I  would  not  support  any  adminis- 
tration who  would  snyiport  men  in  power  that   had  contributed  to  overthrow  the 
democratic  party  in  this  State.     I  have  preached  this  doctrine  too  long,  and  it  has 
anen  too  a  looting  here,  to  be  easily  got  rid  of.     This  is  not  only  the  doc- 

trine in  theory,  but  we  require  it  to  be  reduced  to  practice  by  the  servants  of  tho 
p?opl,:.  to  whom  we  have  temporarily  delegated  the  trust.  I  speak  now  the  univeisal 
sentiments  of  the  democracy  of  this  city,  and  you  may  rely  upon  it  no  man  can  be 
sustained  who  aids  or  abets  in  the  disappointment  of  the  just  expectations  of  the 
people  on  this  subject— and  -U  personal  considerations  and  piivate  fiiendshirs  must 
vield  to  po/itical  justice,  y  \.~-  leading  politicians  of  this  city  (Mr.  Targee  ard  Mr 
liowne  excepted)  require  ..moval  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Thrmrsop  ;  and  Mr  Pr.^ne 
«ill  put  in  jeopardy  his  own  situation  by  attempting  to  sustain  Mr.  Thomtson. 
.Mr.  reter  btagg  and  the  appraiser  every  body  sesms  to  take  for  granted  will  be 
removed.     We  have  in  this  State  fought  off  the  infamous  charges  against  General 


C2 


PUBLIC  PATRIOTISM  TOO  OFTEN  MEANS  ONLY  PUBLIC  PLUNDER. 


Jacl<son  and  yourself  and  pravc  the  lie  to  the  atilliors  and  jiublisliprs  of  them.     To 
continue   llioso   in  jxjwlt  wiio  contributed   to  siif-tainiiifi  tlirsc  charcrs  v  ould   but 
admit  the  truth  of  them,  and  tlirow  hack  a  rchiike  ujon  us   lor  contradict inpf  them. 
Tills  rclmlw  in  nnju^f,  anil  irr  iri//  not  renirr  it  iri/li  i/iipiini/i/  from  an  ad  ministration 
whidi  V\  E  THE  Pl'^OPLE  hdii'  matrd.     Nor  can  we  sanction  the  doctrine  of  the 
admiiiisLration,  or  nnij  of  itx  mimlwrs,  hnyinfj   up  its  enemies  at  the  expense  of  its 
Irijiids.     "  Tlie  hkiocl  of  the   martyrs  is  th(!  t-eed   of  the  cliurch,"  and   that  Hood 
will  li  wc  nobly  shed  in  IH'24  in  difmdims  our  •prinrijd'.i  and  oiir  -party  is  still  (vrdltd 
iij  Ike  recollection  of  OUH  HFFFERINGS  in   that  memoraWe  fiulit,  and  we  will 
not  now  permit  it   to  be   handed   over  to  the  mercy  or  magnanimity  of  these  who 
were  the  cause  of  its  heing  slied — but  we  ask  that  rctriivtivc  justice  shall  l:c  d(aU 
out  to  those  iclio  from  that  tune  to  this  have  not  shiathed  thiir  sirords  or  ciasrd  in  thtir 
efforts  to  prostrate  vs.     In  callin£r  upon  our  friends,  to  act  in  this  n\atter,  wc  shall, 
as  we  always  have  itone,  repudiate  the  doctrine  of  neutrality.     We  shall  expect 
every  man  to  take  sides  one  way  or  the  other,  dther  for  or  ai;ainst  removals.     The 
ohl  maxim  of  *'  those  not  ibr  us  are  against  us,"  you  have  so  often  recognized  that 
its  anthority  cannot  be  denied.     1  have  one  word  to  say  ujiou  a  particular  case  about 
which  I  am  particularly  excited  for  various  reason? — it  is  the  case  of  Mr.  Ducr.    He 
was  appointed  by  Mr.  (,'harles  King,  and  his  removal  or  retention  is  probably  left 
with  you,  at  least  so  say.s  Mr.  Sanford  and  Mr.  Dudley,  if  I  read  the  letter  of  the 
latter  c;)rrectly.     Mr.  Bnnner,  I  presume,  has  made  his  /.an^ain  icith  some  Sovtlurn 
Interest  for  his  retention.     I  judge  so  from  various  circumstances,  one  of  which  is, 
that  Mr.  Samuel  L.   Gouvprneiir  offered  a  bet  of  $  100  day  before  yesterday  that  he 
would  not  he  removed.     He  has  his  advices  daily  from  Mr.  Calhoun  or  some  of  his 
friends,  I  have  not  the  slighest  doubt.      T/ie  conversation  I  had  with  you  at  All  any 
satisfied  me  that  you  would  retain  Mr.  Duer  if  you  could  find  a  satisfaitory  apology. 
Sine::  which  I  have  heard  from  Mr.  l)uer"s  friends  that  you  would  support  liim,  and 
f  om  yours  that  you  would  remain  neutral.     When  I  left  Albany  1  wiis  not  a  candi- 
date, and  1  became  so,  as  I  wrote  Mr.  Inghnm,  by  the  advice  of  my  jiolitical  friends, 
who  could  insist  ujjoii  Mr.  T)."s  removal.     I  told  Mr.  Bowne  that  I  would  not  take 
tha  office  of  District  Attorney  for  this  city  if  I  could  get  it,  till   Mr.  Duer  wns 
jcmaved,  and  now  repeat  that  I  will  hold  no  office  from  any  jiolilical  party  that  will 
kea;)  Mr.  Duer  in  his  prcsLMit  station.     The  very  idea  that  you  would  by  thought  or 
d.'el  contribute  to  such  a  result  has  given  me  more  awful  feelings  than  I  experienced 
wh3n  I  held  a  conversation  with  you  in  your  room  over  Crittenden's  dining  room,  in 
th3  evening  of  the  day  of  the  choice  of  the  Electors  in  1821,  when  our  very  serses 
were  stunned  bv  the  shouts  of  Mr.  Duer  and  his  friends  over  their  champagne  in  the 
rooin  below.     What  you  told  me  in  that  conversation  I  well  recollect,  and  I  thought 
you  wee  serious  and  would  not,  under  any  circumstances,  forget  them  at  least  fnv 
six  years,  the  (u-dinary  statute  limitation  for  parol  promises  :  but  if  the  statute  had 
attached  the  promises  and  the  consideration  have  been  received  by  Mr.  Doer's  con- 
nection with  Judge  Thompson,  Anti-Masonry,  and  God  knows  what,  last  fall  ;  ar.d, 
if]  recol  ect  right,  Mr.  D.  was  to  be  one  of  tin;  body  guard  to  cive  you  an  escort  tn 
Kinderhook  the  Friday  after  the  last  November  election.     I  do  not  remind  you  cf 
lhes3  things  to   excite  your   preiudiecs,  but   as  evidence  of  overt  acts  against  tho 
democracy  of  the   State.     To  retain  Mr.  Duer  would  be  to  disappoint  friends  and 
caemics,  fir  it  is  considered  by  all  ujion  general  principles  that  he  is  to  be  removed, 
and  if  he  is  retained  you  get  no  credit  for  it  even  froin  them.     They  w-ill  attribute  it 
to  your  fears,  and  yoiir  party  friends  will  charge  you  with  bargaining  to  buv  \:p 
your  enemies  at  the  expense  of  the  party  who  have  laboured  to  sustain  you.    Theie 
is  a  charm  attending  hold  incasnrcs  extremely  fascinating — it  has  given  to  Genenl 
Jackson  all  his  glory,  and  it  will  give  to  Mr.  Clay  hereal'ter  power  and  strength, 
and  the  speech  he  made  at  the  Washington  dinner  is  admired  for  its  impudence*  ai.d 
the  manly  spirit  it  breathes. 

In  regard  to  the  applicants  for  Mr.  Di.er's  place,  I  have  nothinc  to  say,  further 
than  that  it  is  not  just  to  import  a  man  frcin  the  country — l)y  this  /  mean  Mr.  BvU' 
n  r,  ivho  is  not  at  heart  with  us,  as  you  plainly  discovered  on  your  visit  two  years 
ajo  to  Oswego — besides  many  other  obieciicrs  that  could  be  raited,  it  would  amount 
to  a  re-appointment  of  Mr.  Duer.  I  have  done  nothing  since  I  wrote  to  you,  in 
jegard  to  myself.     Many  people  have  offered  to  interfere  in  my  behalf  but  I  have 

*  1  thiak  he  iiileoUed  te  sa/  '  uidepeadeucs.' 


delayed  taking 
the  removal  of  J 
justice  and  not  t 
the  time  I  rcturr 
niomber  of  the  ( 
God  spares  my  1 
ail  those  who  ha 
this,  aowcver,  I 
private  fiiendshi 
froin  concealmen 
has  actuated  me 
to  go  to  Wiishiui 
I  should  not  the 
hpcius3  men  in 
light. 

I  hive  written 
office  business. 
sions,  if  any  sucl 
be  proper  to  con 

So  far  as  I  ha' 
borne  out  by  a  v 
this  to  be  a  critic 
Committee  of  th 
to  the  theory,  is 
Ii 

Hon'ble  M.  V 


Secretary  Van  Bi 
confidence.  H 
politician — haa 
ins;.  Jesse's  ^ 
behalf  of  Code. 

Secretary  Van 
Free — M.  Van  I- 

Dear  Sir — I  in 
now  am,  to  addrc 
viction  of  the  ex 
the  belief  that  yo 
in  the  mrst  intric 
cessful  conduct  o 
and  which  keep  i 
you  think  it  kind 
no  man  of  comn 
York  contained 
thought  just,  but 
distress  me  excci 
error  in  judo-emc 
from  you,  si  ill  t 
must  be  plain  wi 
cherished'  the  kir 
?ood  will  toward 
those  feelings,  bv 
you  have  seen  fit 
rendingly,  more  i 
with  your  episth 
Bowne,  in  which 
point  that  could  1 
It  doae,  bav«  tak( 


YOU  ARE  RUDE — DO  YOU  SEEK  A  QUARREL? 


63 


delayed  takiiifr  any  measures  till  I  had  seen  you.  Mv  first  and  principal  object  is 
the  removal  of  Mr.  D.,  and  when  thai  is  done  I  am  willinp  to  le:»ve  my  cliiims  to  tho 
justice  ati'l  not  to  the  policy  of  the  ajjpointintr  power.  If  Mr.  D.  is  not  removed  bv 
Uie  tune  I  return  from  Albimy,  I  sh;ill  visit  Washington  to  hand,  in  person  to  every 
member  of  the  Cabmet  "  The  Life  and  Adcmturcs  of  John  Dwcr"— f.ir  as  l.mff  as 
God  spar(>s  my  life  I  shall  not  spare  my  exertions  to  get  him  out  of  office,  as  well  as 
all  those  who  have  betrayed  their  friends,  their  party,  and  their  principles.  In  doing 
this,  aowcver,  I  will  not,  as  he  and  his  friends  hare  done,  vi.date  the  sanctity  of 
private  fuendsiiip  and  private  confidence,  but  the  me.uis  I  shall  resort  to  will  be  free 
from  concealment,  but  shall  be  open  and  manly,  and  upon  the  same  principles  th;it 
lias  actuated  me  in  opposing  him  during  the  late  contest.  I  shall  therefore,  if  driven 
to  go  to  Wiishington  to  prefer  my  complaints  sh:ill  go,  not  as  a  candidate  myself,  for 
I  should  not  then  be  listened  to  with  us  much  consideraliim  as  I  otherwise  should 
liccius3  men  in  power  are  not  prone  to  look  upon  office  seekers  in  so  favorable  a 
liglit. 

I  hive  written  this  in  the  hurry  of  departure,  and  subject  to  the  interruptions  of 
office  business.  I  have  not  time  to  read  it  over  and  prune  it  of  any  doubtful  expres- 
sions, if  any  such  there  be.  I  therefore  send  it,  subject  to  any  explanations  that  may 
be  proper  to  convey  my  true  meaning. 

So  far  as  I  have  taken  a  genera!  or  special  view  of  the  subject  spoken  of  I  am 
borne  out  by  a  vast  mijority  of  your  political  friends  in  the  city,  all  of  whom  feel 
this  to  be  a  critical  point  in  your  political  fate.  The  tluory  of  your  address  to  the 
Committee  of  the  Legislature  we  all  admire— the  practice  under  it,  if  conformublo 
to  the  theory,  is  all  that  we  require. 

In  great  haste,  very  truly,  your  friend,  J.  HOYT 

Hon'ble  M.  Van  Buren,  Wash'n. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


Secretary  Van  Bvrvn's  rejdy—Ihyt  rhanrcd  with  rudeness.  Who  had  (he  PresidenVs 
confi'tcnci:.  Hoyt's  rrjoindrr—he  had  no  inherent  lore  of  office— was  no  mercenary 
politician— had  been  educated  hy  the  Secretary.  Curious  story  of  N.  Y.  office  seek- 
l"f  ■  /•  '^'■''■■''''■'  1^'a1iti':s.  .S^c'?/  Inshuin  on  Place  hunters.  Caiiihrekmr's  efforts  on 
behalf  of  Coddington.     The  Whigs  pitied.     V.  B.'s  young  tribe. 

Secretarv  Van  Buren,  Vl^ashington,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  New  York.    (Private.) 
Free— M.  \an  Buren.  ^ 

Dear  Sir— I  never  expected  to  see  the  day  when  I  should  be  constrained,  as  I 
now  am,  to  address  you  in  the  language  of  complaint.  Nothinir  but  my  strono-  con- 
viction of  the  extent  and  sincerity  of  vour  friendship  could  sustain  me  in  resistinrr 
tiic  behel  that  you  have  a  settled  purpose  to  (luarrel  with  me.  Here  I  am  engaged 
111  the  UK  St  intricate  and  important  atliiirs.  which  are  new  to  me,  and  upon  the  suc- 
eesshi  conduct  of  which  my  reputation  as  well  as  the  interests  of  the  country  depend 
and  which  keep  me  occupied  from  early  in  the  morning,  until  late  at  night,  and  can 
you  think  it  kind  or  just  to  harrass  me  under  such  circumstances  witli  letters,  which 
no  man  of  common  sensibility  can  read  without  pain'  Your  letter  to  me  at  New 
\ork  contained  many  truths,  for  which  I  was  thankful,  and  reflections  which  I 
thought  just,  but  the  whole  were  expressed  in  terms  so  harsh,  not  to  say  rude,  as  to 
distress  me  exceedingly.  I  have  scarcely  recovered  from  the  effect  of  "so  great  m 
error  in  juduemeut,  to  say  nothing  el.^e,  when  I  am  favored  with  another  cpistlo 
from  you,  si  ill  transcending  its  predecessor  in  its  most  obiectionable  features  I 
must  be  plain  with  you.  I  have  all  my  life,  (at  least  since  I  have  known  you), 
cherished  the  kindest  solicitude  for  your  welfare,  and  have  manifested  at  least  my 
i^ood  will  towards  you,  and  should  be  extremely  sorry  to  have  occasion  to  chano© 
those  feelings,  but  it  is  due  to  us  both  that  I  should  say,  that  the  terms  upon  which 
you  have  seen  fit  to  place  our  intercourse  are  as  inadmissable.  It  grieves  me  ex- 
ceedingly, more  tlian  you  imagine,  to  be  obliged  to  sav  so.  When  I  was  favored 
with  your  epistle  in  New  York,  I  had  just  returned  "from  an  interview  with  Mr. 
uowne,  in  which  I  had  made  your  immediate  appointment  as  District  Attorney,  a 
point  that  could  be  no  longer  delayed.  I  have  since  had  an  increased  desire  to  see 
It  dooe,  bav«  lakea  steps  tg  BlTecl  it,  and  with  the  mad  that  brings  your  accusatory 


54      'l  HAVE  NOT  MADE  POLITICS  A  MATTER   OF  DOLLARS  AND  CENTS.' 

letter,  I  have  information  that  it  shall  be  done ;  but  that  you  are  hesitating  whether 
you  will  accept  it  or  not.    Let  mr  advise  you  without  girinsj;  viy  nason  why,  to  do  so. 

The  story  you  tell  [the  word  ill(s;ihlp,,]  as  coming  Irom  Mr.  Hills  (a  man  who  it'  I 
know  him  is  without  the  slisrhtest  consideration  in  society)  about  the  Pres.deiUa 
ereat  confidence  in  Mr.  Berrien,  and  little  in  me,  is  the  veriest  stvill'  that  coi.ld  bo 
conceived.  The  repetition  of  such  idle  possi])  constrains  me  to  say,  v  hat  I  am 
almost  ashamed  to  do,  that  1  have  found  the  President  affectionate,  confidential,  and 
kind  to  the  last  dejjree ;  and  that  I  am  entirely  satisfied  that  there  is  no  deprree  of 
jTood  feeling  or  confidence  which  he  does  not  entertain  for  me.  He  has,  however, 
his  own  wishes  and  favorite  views  upon  points  which  it  is  not  my  province  to 
attempt  controul.  Upon  eve^-y  matter  he  wishes  to  have  the  truth  and  respects  it; 
and  will  in  the  end  satisfy  all  of  the  purity  of  his  views  and  intentions.  I  have  not 
time  to  add  another  word.     Your  friend  and  humble  servant  in  extreme  haste, 

Washington,  April  13,  1829.  M.  V.  BUREN. 

Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt  to  Mr.  Secretary  Van  Buren,  at  Washington. 

New  York,  April  24,  1829. 

Dear  Sir, — I  received  your  letter  of  the  13.  on  Monday  morning  last  at  Albany, 
and  sufficient  time  has  elaps-d  I  think  to  enable  me  to  answer  it  without  indulging 
ill  those  feelings  its  perusal  naturally  gave  rise  to.  1  have  not  now  and  at  no  time 
have  1  had  any  "  siftled  purpose  to  (/narrcl  with  you,''''  for  I  have  too  often  quarrelled 
for  you,  to  be  at  this  time  willing  to  quarrel  with  you.  It  would  he  extremely  hvmU- 
iat'ing  to  me  to  be  olile^'r/ged  to  admit,  that  in  all  my  interco\irse  wiih  you  1  had  not 
sufficieni  sagacity  to  understand  your  character  ;  and  it  would  be  no  less  moriifying 
to  have  cause  to  uisay  all  I  have  said  for  the  last  12  years,  calculated  to  adcance 
your  repu'ation  as  a  riiati,  and  your  INTEGRITY  as  a  politician.  When  I  first 
came  to  this  city  to  live,  your  democratic  adherents  were  not  numerous — and  with- 
out any  vanity  I  may  say  that  my  exertions  tended  to  i  icrease  the  number— and 
until  I  have  been  found  guilty  of  some  overt  act  in  derogation  of  my  former  conduct 
I  question  with  great  respect  your  right  to  make  the  insinuation  your  letter  seems  to 
co.ivey. 

As  I  am  not  favored  with  a  bill  of  particulars  of  my  "  indiscretions  "  "  error  of 
iudgmeit,"  &c.  &c  ,  I  am  deprived  of  ihe  power  of  explanation,  but  if  the  plain 
truth,  spoken  in  a  plain  w.iy,  re:iders  "  an  intercourse  inadmissable,"  then  am  I 
CO  ite'itio  be  cut  off  fiom  the  world  and  the  friends  I  have  hiiherio  been  ardemly 
a;tached  to. 

Eccrij  idea  I  conveyed  in  the  letter  you  received  from  me  while  here  werr  conveyed 
more  in  reference  to  your  interest  than  my  own.  and  the  hingunge  iti  which  they  were 
clo'hed  I  supposed  would  hive  beeti  sutticieiilly  softened  by  the  reservation  I  made 
at  the  close  of  the  letter — at  least  to  such  an  extent  as  would  have  protected  mo 
from  the  charge  "  of  rudeness,"  which  always  detracts  from  the  getitlemanly  de- 
ponmeiit  I  am  most  anxious  to  preserve.  The  political  seniimeitt  of  that  letter  I 
still  tidhere  to.  My  political  priitciples  I  inherited  from  a  '"  lonir  line  of  anrcslors  " 
(such  as  th-v  were,)  MY  POLITK^AL  EDUCATION  I  AM  MAINLY  IN- 
DEBTED TO  YOU  FOR,  and  the  principles  I  imhthed  from  hirlh  ;ts  well  as  educa- 
tio  1  eannnt  be  eradiated  at  this  lime  of  life.  I  HAVE  NOT  IMADE  POLITICS  A 
MATTER  OF  DOLLARS  AND  CENTS,  NOR  HAVE  I  ADHERED  TO 
PARTY  WITH  THE  HOPE  OF  GAIN,  but  I  h;tvc  libored  in  them  under 
your  itTim?diiie  auspicies  for  12  ye:irs  with  tlw  leading  motive  to  serve  you,  but 
agiinsi  the  advice  of  mmy  powerful  bitsiness  friends.  During  this  time  you  have 
m3l  wi'h  occasio.ial  reverses,  and  I  believe  my  fidelity  and  faiihfulitcss,  and  even 
smi".  degr"c  of  efllciency  to  vou.  were  never  questioned  by  any  one — nor  ani  I 
awan^  of  having  evinced  any  disposition  to  shrink  from  the  consequeiici'S  of  adversity 
which  attended  you.  If  pr-rchance  I  should  now  fail  to  pour  out  heartless  adulation 
hss  copiously  than  scycophaiiis  and  intregers  who  have  the  good  fortune  to  sur^ 
round  your  person  at  this  time,  it  may  be  a  just  ground  •'  for  letting  me  down  ijio 
wind  a  prey  to  fortune."  I  hive  no  ambition  to  be  in  the  train  of  great  me;i.  if  I 
am  to  pa:'Ti!icp.  my  independence  nr  to  be  prohibited  in  expressing  an  honest  opinion. 
I  frviklv  admit  Iwrote  the  letter  referr.'d  to  under  some  excitement.  Iwasussuri'd 
by  Mr  Ducrs  friends  that  you  had  promised  to  sustain  him.  My  conversation  with 
you  at  Albany  led  me  to  the  same  conclusion.    I  had  that  morning  received  informa- 


tion from  Albaii 
l)ehalf  of  Judge 
deaiitig  from  on 
preni  interest  y 
/  know  the  sense 
cri'et  measure  y 
i.ifiUence  with  tl 
As  I  wrote  tli 
without  reading 
purpose  of  enabi 
was  all  ritrht,  ai 
expressed  but  th 
and  I  must  the 
language  1  used 
moment  consider 
surprised  at  the  i 
one  I  wrote  cove 
reason  to  be  diss; 
!n  March.  I  ma 
When  I  tell  you 
lion  to  you,  and 
you  in  relation  t, 
1  am  perfectly  a\ 
is  no  m.Mi  living 
yourself  with  rep 
with  Mr.  Bownt 
kept  out  of  it. 
and  tells  him  he 
date  tor  the  ofTice 
ttiat  you  would  I 
man.  and   he  gc 

wards, &c.  & 

peculiar  to  that  i 

young  Hoffman, 

defeated.     Duer 

voted  for  Butler, 

had  become  o'mox: 

old  staunch  demo 

surprising  that  m 

be  as  stron^7  as  it 

ed  on  VVednesda 

Hoffman  and  told 

be  removed,  and  i 

Mr.  Duer  had  th 

olTice.     He  told 

subject  he  was  " 

Monday,  at  Alhai 

motive  it  is  not  di 

I  did  state  to  xM 

of  Attorney  for  th 

you,  with  "any  dei 

in  getting  up  a  ea 

were  perfect  abort 

from  the  beiriiinin 

and  I  need  not  s 

thotight  then  and 

personal  friLMid — u 

body  here,  of  all  | 

ilie  infatnoub  aitat 

their  nam^s,  and  i 

decliae  the  proffs 


•l  HAVE  NO  INHERENT   LOVE  OF  OFFICE.' 


OO 


I'°"f™"?T  ]^^7,t''^tyouhad  spoken  lo  Governor  Throop,  at  ihe  request  and  in 
bohali  oUudge  Duer,  for  \  ice-Chaiicelldr.  If  ihis  was  not  enough  to  jus:  if v  plair 
dealing  from  one  who  had  given  some  pmofs  of  dcvoiion  lo  you,  ai,d  who  fji  the 
pr,,Mi  ihUresl  you_  had  at  siake.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  what  would  h:ivo  bemi 
I  laiow  ihii  sense  of  your  parhzans  inrehilion  to  these  mm,  and  I  know  a  more  indis- 
creet measure  you  could  noi  iiave  adopted,  if  you  desired  to  vetiiin  your  power  and 
Influence  with  tlit^  party  to  which  you  have  acknowledg.'d  obligauons. 

As  I  wrote  that  letter  my  confidential  clerk  copied  the  sheets  (I  kept  a  copy 
without  reading  over  the  original  or  even  the  copy  before  I  got  to  Albany)  for  the 
purpose  of  enabling  me  to  shew  it  to  Mr.  Uutler.  1  did  so,  and  he  remarked  that  it 
was  ail  rijrht,  and  he  was  glad  I  wrote  it.  lie  said  the  ideas  were  very  stronely 
expressed  but  the  reservation  1  refer  to  rendered  that  harmless  in  point  of  laneua-re 
and  1  must  therefore  confess  1  was  surprised  to  find  that  the  character  of  Wo. 
language  1  used  had  found  its  way  to  your  ■>  Sensibility,"  or  that  you  could  for  one 
moment  consider  me  guilty  of  ••  rudeness.-'  As  to  the  other  letter.  1  am  eoually 
surprised  at  the  exception.  If  these  were  considered  exceptionable,  then  I  fear  the 
one  1  wrote  covering  one  to  ^\v.  Hamilton  would  be  deemed  still  more  so  I  had 
reason  to  be  dissatisfied  with  Mr.  Hamilton  for  having  misled  mc  in  his  letter  early 
m  March.  I  may  have  written  the  last  letter  under  the  influence  of  that  fecline 
When  1  tell  you,  however,  that  I  meant  nolhinir  inconsistent  with  my  former  rela- 
tion to  you,  and  that  I  shall  not  hmaftcr  ohtnuk  athir  imj  opinions  'or  advice  vron 
you  in  reation  to  any  suhjcct,  1  should  hope  I  had  made  satisfactory  atonement 
1  am  perfectly  aware  of  the  responsil)ility  of  your  situation,  and  God" knows  there 
is  no  iTiMi  living  that  would  be  more  gratified  than  I  should  to  have  you  acauit 
yourseJ  with  reputation  I  am  very  much  ohkeilged  to  you  for  your  interference 
wiih  Mr.  i3owne  1  shall  not  get  that  place,  and  I  can  tell  you  how  I  was 
kept  out  of  It.  Mr.  Maxwell,  when  he  got  alarmed,  goes  to  Judge  Hoflman 
and  tells  him  he  was  to  be  removed,  and  that  his  son,  Ogden,  had  better  be  a  candi- 
date for  the  o  Tice.  Mr.  Bowne  tells  Riker,  confidentially  and  he  tells  an  Alderman, 
that  you  would  be  pleased  to  see  me  put  there.     This  comes  to  the  ear  of  HofT- 

man.  and   he  goes  to  all  the  Clintonian  Aldermen of  the   4th  and  8th 

■uards, &c.  &c.,  and  insinuates  this  idea  to  them,  and  with  all  the  adroitness 

peculiar  to  that  family,  rakes  up  old  prejudices,  enlists  Duer,  who  is  attached  to 
young  Holfman,  with  all  the  coodies,  high  minded,  and  tlintonians,  and  I  was 
defeated.  Duer  was  in  the  thickest  of  this.  No  (,'lintonian  m  the  Legislature 
voted  for  butler,  save  one  or  two  ;  not  one  of  the  corporation  voted  for  me  We 
Had  bcconK  omo.rious  Jor  our  srrrkcs  in  th>.  cavse.  of  anothrr  hmkr.  There  is  not 
old  slaunch  democracy  enough  in  the  Common  Council  to  elect  me.  It  is  not  then 
surprising  that  my  inveteracy  to  that  concern,  coodies,  high  minded  and  all,  should 
be  as  s  roiuT  as  it  is  Mr.  Duer  is  now  playine  the  same  game  that  Maxwell  play- 
ed on  Wednesday  (.lames  Campbell  authorised  me  to  say  so)— he  went  to  .ludic 
iiollman  and  to  d  him  that  he  had  such  information  as  satisfied  him  that  he  would 
be  removed  and  that  he  did  not  know  why  his  son  Ogden  should  not  be  appointed 
.Mr.  Uuer  had  then  been  informed  that  Mr.  Hamilton  had  the  option  to  take  the 
office.  He  told  me  on  I  ucsday  that  Mr.  Hamilton  could  not  take  it,  for  on  that 
subject  he  was  "  Comiriitted  on  paper."  Mr.  Bunner  told  me  the  same  thing  on 
Monday  at  Albany.  Alter  this  Mr.  Duer  goes  to  Judge  Hoflman,  and,  with  what 
motive  It  IS  not  dilficult  to  divine.  uu  waai 

I  did  state  to  Mr.  Bowne  that,  as  things  now  stood,  I  could  not  i^rcept  the  office 
ol  Attorney  for  this  County,  nor  can  I  if  it  could  be  given  me,  after  what  I  write 
you,  with  any  degree  of  honor.  I  informed  the  gentlemen  who  were  instrumental 
in  getting  up  a  caucus  here  on  Saturday  and  Wednesday  la.st,  (which,  by  tlie  bye 
were  perfect  abortions.)  that  I  had  no  expectations  of  Mr.  Duers  oflice  for  I  knew 
irom  the  heffinmng  if  you  were,  not  for  me  it  ivas  idle  to  say  any  thinff  on  the  subject  ■ 
and  1  need  not  say  that  I  have  not  been  promised  any  aid  from  yon.  though  I 
thought  then  and  now  think  I  had  strong  claims  on  you  as  a  party  man  and  a 
pcrsoual  friL'nd— and  such  I  undertake  to  say  is  the  universal  sentiment  of  every 
iiouy  tiere,  of  all  parties  who  have  witnes.sed  my  exertions  to  sustain  yon  aL^ainst 
iiieiniamous  attacks  of  your  enemies.  More  than  iiO  leading  men  here  tendered 
thsir  namas,  and  among  the  rest  Mr.  J.  C.  Hamilton  ;  your  silence  induced  me  to 
decliae  the  proffer.    I  HAVE  NO  INHERENT  LOVE  OF  OFFICE,  wd  I 


56 


HOYT  PUSHING,  &C. — INGHAM    ON  EMBEZZLING  MONIES. 


have  not  therefore  studied  discretion  or  weighed  pronouns  and  adverbs  in  my  letters 
to  "  Consiitutional  advisers"  and  advisers  not  constitutional  at  WashiuRton.  / 
hnoiu  THE  EXACT  EXTENT  of  lui/  jirctmsioits,  my  services,  claims,  CAPACITY,  and 
POWER— they  are  small  and  inconsiderable — but  when  all  or  any  of  them— shall 
not  i)i>  properly  respected  by  those  whom  I  think  ounfht  to  respect  them,  I  should  be 
unwilliiinr  to  submit  in  silence  without  beinpr  alarmed  at  any  fate  that  micht  await 
me.  Politiial  Jiddity,  iiniirin>;  induntri/  and  pcrscrirance  will  one  day  or  other  find 
their  value  iu  the  jjolilical  market.  These  (/valitics  1  claim  to  possess,  and  which  I 
deem  important  iu<jredients  iu  forminfr  and  which  nearly  make  up  a  capital,  on 
which  oue  can  commence  business  on  his  own  account.  It  would  grieve  me  as 
much  and  infinitely  more  than  it  possibly  could  you  to  be  under  the  necessity  of 
dilfering  so  far  as  to  lead  to  a  severance  of  that  friendship  which  I  know  h;)S  ex- 
isted. "^You  have  the  power  to  make  mo  District  Attorney,  but  I  could  not  suffi- 
ciently alihor  invself  if  I  was  "  to  quarrel  with  you  "  for  omitting  to  do  it.  Yet  if 
Mr.  Duer  is  not  removed  or  any  but  a  democrat  is  appointed  I  should  do  violence 
to  the  principles  you  have  taught  me  not  to  be  dissatisfied  ;  and  I  do  not  think  your 
nature  is  so  much  changed  as  that  vou  would  rc(itiiic  me  to  withhold  the  expressiun 
of  that  dissatisfaction.  Lorenzo  tells  me  I  had  better  abandon  all  ideas  of  political 
preferment  till  the  coodics  and  high  minded  have  become  exterminated.  Perhaps 
he  is  right.  I  have  said  all  1  have  to  say,  and  perhaps  more  than  1  should  have 
said,  but  the  ground  upon  which  your  letter  places  us  seemed  to  require  equal  can- 
dor on  my  part.  I  will  not  attempt  to  disguise  the  fact  that  iny  feelings  were  such 
toward  you  that  I  fancied  I  was  entitled  to  know  the  priuciples  upon  which  you 
were  to  "dispense  your  political  power,  and  to  lie.  informed  franh/i/  nivtlur  it  uas  (x- 
pcdicnt  to  ask  for  thi.  jdace  of  an  olino.rious  incinnhrnt.  The  confidence  I  should 
have  reposed  in  your  friendly  advice,  which  I  thought  mystdf  entitled  to,  but  which 
was  withheld,  would  have  satisfied  me,  whatever  it  might  have  been.  Your  total 
silence  on  this  subject,  with  the  apprehension  attending  it,  led  to  the  anxiety  to  be 
informed  whether  your  friends  and  enemies  were  to  be  put  in,  hotch-potch,  without 
any  more  adhesive  qualities  than  oil  and  water,  and  which  could  never  be  reduced 
to  a  reasonable  consistence.  It  was  not  inconsistent  with  my  regard  for  you  to 
point  to  the  danger  of  such  a  course ;  whether  1  have  by  so  doing  forfeited  your 
confidence  is  a  matter  somewhat  lessened  in  importance  to  me,  from  a  conviction  of 
the  purity  of  my  motives.        Yet,  as  I  ever  have  been,  Your  friend, 

^      ^         ^ J.  IIOYT. 

Hon.  S.  D.  Ingham,  Secretary  Treasury,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  N.  Y.— Franked, 

Washington,  April  14. 

Washington,  14  April,  182!). 

Dear  Sir — Your  favor  is  duly  received,  hut  you  must  permit  me  to  say  in  jireat 
soberness,  that  an  excitement  without  reason  cannot  be  founded  in  sober  judgment, 
and  ought  never  to  be  made  the  cause  of  action  on  the  part  of  an  administration, 
who  are  bound  to  consult,  in  great  soberness,  the  great  interests  of  the  country,  and 
not  the  feverish  feeling  even  of  the  best  of  friends,  for  which  no  reason  can  be 
given. 

If  there  were  an  enemy  menacing  your  good  city  with  desolation,  that  would  be 
a  good  reason  for  excitement,  or  if  it  icas  known  that  your  Collector  icas  embezzling 
the  public  monri/,  or  corrupting  the  Comi/iunily  by  official  abuses,  there  would  be  ffood 
excuse ;  but  really  for  so  many  wise  men  as  we  claim  among  our  friends  in  New 
York  to  suffer  themselves  to  be  put  into  hysteric  spasms  because  of  the  continuance  of 
Mr.  Thompson  to  collect  the  duties  a  few  days  or  weeks  longer,  or  shorter,  is  rcaly 
matter  of  surprise — and  if  it  indicates  any  thing  for  consideration  here,  it  is,  that  it 
would  be  better  to  let  the  Fever  evaporate  before  we  throw  in  any  more  stimulants 
[or  stimolous].  I  am  sure  that  sedatives  are  better  adapted  to  such  a  condition  tlmn 
any  other  prescription — but  to  be  more  serious,  my  Dear  sir,  let  me  tell  you  that 
there  is  a  vast  mass  of  selfish  interest  at  work  abroad,  to  excite  jealousies  among  us 
here,  and  produce  distraction,  by  which  some  may  ride  into  office  on  one  liobhy. 
some  on  another,  while  we  are  endeavoring  to  stand  unmoved  by  those  rufilini! 
passions,  and  by  harmonious  action,  to  keep  the  ship  steady  on  her  course — and  I_ 
should  hope  there  was  soberness  enough  anaong  you  to  resist  the  impotence  of 
expociants,  until  thsir  vaiu  hopes  shall  yi«ld  to  reaseo  and  Qouuuoa  saiuia. 


There  is,  moi 
Iibor  to  be  perfoi 
those  who  cmne 
assure  you  that  . 
without  rradimr  f, 

The  appointmc 
prominent  errors 
interests  to  be  i 
partizans. 

This  ivc  must  r 
that  we  can  find 

Then  let  us  coi 

Our  friends  the 
arc  wholly  nnsettl 
impatience ! 

Why,  Sir,  let 
friends  in  Baltim 
him,  because  he  i 
had  not  removed 
been  known  here, 

He  has  since  c( 
are  getting  right 

Boston,  too,  hi 
have  divided  into 

Providence,  toe 

There  has  also 

These  matters 
sink  deep  which  i 

Are  you  not  we 

It  is  the  most  k 
despair  of  getting 


Primtc. 

Dear  H. — I  wi 
Lane,  besides  whit 
sons  which  cannot 
influence  about  it- 
Say  to  our  frien 
morning  a  frank  ai 
aiithonzsd  Mr.  Sm 
of  doing  any  sucl 
injury— /(y?  will  not 
anil  by  all  who  ha 
will  undoubtedly  li 
the  removal  of  Mr 
not  be  disappointed 
Kdl  be  the  choice  of 

< 
» 

K?  Your  letter  i 
were  nominated  to- 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  ] 

1 

vou  desire  for  our 

Knemy  is  using  ve 

•  U.  8.  Oistrlst  Aitor 


CODDINGTON  KEPT  WITHIN  THE  FOLD. 


67 


There  IS,  moreover  you  miist  know  an  immense  mass  of  severe  and  constant 
labor  to  b3  performed  by  the  officers  of  the  government,  and  much  more  severe  Jo 
those  who  c.rno  newly  mto  office.  These  duties  cannot  be  postponed,  and  I  do 
assure  you  hat  /  am  comrUed  ,Uuh,  U,  fik  away  long  hs/s  or  rLmm-^nrJauZ,<^c. 
wahmt  rnulm'r  tlfm,  althoui^h  I  vark  18  hou,-s  ofth,  21,  with  all  my  MU^rmce 

Ihe  appomtments  r«»  be  postponed-other  matters  r«n/ic/-and  it  was  one  of  the 
prominent  errors  ol  the  late  admmistration,  that  the  v  suffered  many  important  put  I  c 
interests  to  be  neglected,  while  they  were  cruizing  about  to  secure  or  bJ^uS 
partizans.  "  "■'   "r 

This  u-c  must  not  do,  and  hence  it  is  only  at  intervals,  "few  and  far  between," 
that  vv  e  can  find  a  moment  s  time  to  consider  appointments. 

1  hen  let  us  come  to  New  York— 

Our  friends  there  have  .settl.^d  down  on  about  two  of  the  appointments  but  vnn 
arc  wholly  unsettled  as  to  the  Collectorship  ;  and  I  believe  as  to  D  A  ,*  S  yet  such 
im|/atience  !  '    ""J  j"-i- »">-« 

fripU'/in^n'.ir^  """  ^*i"  >?"■  ^'>"t  ""<-  f'f  our  best,  and  T  had  almost  said,  ablest 
fnonds  in  Baltimore,  left  h(;re  on  the  .Jth  March,  leaving  his  imprecation  behind 

H'not  '!.^n  ruT'?f'"*'^'"  ^"  "<^^^^'""^  the,rvacam,!ind  because  we 
tlrnn,  T'*^'^  '''  '  •'  /^''""''"^tration  Inspectors,  not  one  of  whom  could  have 
been  known  here,  and  o{  whom  they  have  not  vet  accurately  informed  me 

are'^eUmg'^'ight^LTre'"  '"  """"^-''^  '''''''''''  "''  '•/.>/,...<,...,  and  matters 

ha^SeStJuvo'lllIltJ^.'  '^'"'"'"'^^  °"^  ^'^"^^  ^^'^^^  -..•.«^,  that  they 
Providence,  too   has  had  a  ferment,  where  we  had  72  votes,  all  told. 
There  has  also  been  the  same  at  Little  Egg  Harbour,  where  we  had^f.  votes ! 
»inL.  Too       ^    rP'°'^r'^  from  the  morbid  parts  of  our  systcm-but  uothing  can 
sink  deep  which  is  not  founded  in  something  rational  and  substantial 
Are  you  not  wearied  with  my  long  letter '    I  am 

rloL'f  ^^f  T.'*  ^°."^'^-''  ""P'"'^  ^  ^''"'''^  '^•'■'»'^"'  «'"''«  I  ^^-as  dubbed  Secretary-and 
despair  of  getting  time  to  write  such  another,  for  this  year  at  least. 

Yours  truly,  S.  D.  INGHAM. 


Mr.  Cambreleng  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt. 
^''"""''"  Washington,  10th  Jan'y,  1833. 

Innp"hp?;r^7'\^  r"/°  '^°''  ^^^  ^"•''"''^'^  '^""  *o  M'--  Jackson.  Mr.  Mc 
Lane,  besides  which  that  letter  contains  (which  is  a  true  statement)  had  other  rZ 
sons  whch  cannot  be  explained  on  paper.  There  was  no  deceptioi-l  vvant  of 
influence  about  it— the  question  rested  on  other  grounds  altogether 
mnrnL"n°r'  '"l'""''.  C.  [Coddin-ou]  in  answer  to  his  enrn.jries,  that  I  had  this 
mo  miner  a  Trank  and  full  conversation  with  Mr.  Barry,  who  tells  me  that  he  never 

.  onzed  Mr.  .Smith  to  believe  that  he  woul.l  appoint  him,  and  that  he  had  no  idea 
of    omg  any  such  thing.     Mr.  Smiths  going   on   to  New  York  has  done  him 
njury_/».  roill  not  get  the  office.    It  is  well  understood  by  the  President,  Mr.  Marry 
am    by  all  who  have  any  influence  here,  that  when  a  change  takes  place  Mr.  u! 

li  undoubtedly  be  the  man.     Although  I  cannot  and  will  not  be  insirumenial  in 

h    removal  of  Mr.  Gouverneur,  I  will  take  care  that  our  republican  fnends  sl.aU 

not  be  d  sappointed  f^or  the  last  tune.      \Vh,n  a  change  takes  place,  Mr.  Coddut'Uon 

mil  be  the  choice  of  the  President  and  the  P.  M.  G.  ^ouain^ion 

Sincerely  yours,  C.  0.  CAMDREI.ENG. 

K?  Yovr  letter  is  destroyed— do  the  like  ivith  this— Gow  Throop  and  Mr   Cra^ir 
were  nominated  to-day.  ^  ^'a'.  v..ia.g 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  New  York.  Frce-M.  Van  Burcn. 

,.„    ,    .      r  ^.■'  ^f^*"  ^"'.—f  send  j^ou^rth  the  greatest  pleasure  Ihe  t-tler 

ou  desire  for  our  friend  Phelps.     I  have  been  here  for  a  few  days  where  .he 

i^y  is  using  very  desperate  efforts.  I  almost  begin  to  pity  the  poor  \\ixigl 
•  U.  8.  Oiitrltt  Attorney,  So.  Dii.  N.  V 

s 


g 


58 


GEORGE  P.  BARKER  AND  JOHN  VAN  BUREN. 


WHO  CA^ 


Their  next  copnornen  w  ill  l)c  Dmiorrats — remember  what  I  say.    I  think  you  ought 
at  some  of  your  meetings,  to  call  upon  tlx^m,  as  our  friends  have  done  in  Philadel- 
phia, to  {rive  notice  hy  what  name  they  mean  to  pass  next  year. 
In  haste,  very  truly  yours, 
Kinderhook,  Get.  5il,  1h;54. 


M.  VAN  BUREN. 


Extract  of  a  hitter — Edward  Tiivingston  to  Jesse  IToyt — dated  Albany,  Feb.  24, 
1821. — '•  Peter  R.  told  mn  that  if  the  collisions  which  "have  taken  place  since  had 

hapjipucd  before  the  Now  York  appoiiitnienls.  that  he  would  he  d d  if  1  should 

not  have  had  my  appointment.  Sutherland  did  not  want  any  .hmjr  for  himself,  but 
went  away  ipiitc  in  a  iii'kf.  Van  Uuren's  vounQ-  tribe,  thai  he  has  been  trainiri 
for  the  last.  Irt  months,  ihoupht  they  could  rule  tlic  ."State,  but  he  is  too  cunnini;  lor 
them.  'I'lie  party  is  in  au  unsettled  state  ;  we  want  a  firm  leader.  We  inust  pn;!' 
up  some  of  our  elan  into  a  {rreat  man.  J^owne  is  pressing  the  bill  to  divide  the 
^layoraliy  as  fast  possible,  to  enable  him  to  ;.nve  us  a  mayor,  &c.  But  who  they 
will  be  he  keeps  to  hiinself." 


CHAPTER  XV. 


Eighteen  Letters.  John  Van  Bimn  (Af/ornri/  General)  to  Jesse  Hoyt.  Speczilalion, 
bus,  ivai^ers,  saml/ling  in  the  Stoe/;s,J'rain/iilint  sales,  prof  one  language,  elramn>: 
out  the  deposits.  '■•  Bvi/  nn/  Stoek.^^  Bujiing  on  Marry' s  Message.  C.  W'.Lan- 
rencc  to  "run  lihe  the  Cholera.''  Prosper  M.  IIV/whj/t.  Bits  on  Governor. 
P.  C.  P.  C.Beanlshy.  A  fortune  lost.  Bits  on  Marey  and  Lneas.  Is  Leg  git 
crazy?  J.  V.  B.  a  lain/er,  and  ready  to  do  '^  dirty  work.''  Hoyt  and  Cuttin-: 
borrow.  J.  V.  B.  gets' half  the  projils.  Bets  safe  on  l'y,00O.  A  fallur  arvi 
son's  aehiowled gnivnts.     Boston  and  Providence.     Mohawk.     Ilurlann,  cjf. 

The  office  of  Attorney  General  [)laces  the  distinfruishcd  individual  who  fills  it  at 
the  head  of  the  13ar  of  the  city  and  State  of  New  York.  It  is  an  ofliee  of  hipli 
h.onor,  (jreat  importance,  and  lartre  emolument.  "^I'lic  Attorney  General  is  the  chut 
publie  prosecutor.  His  opinion  is  required  by  the  tiovernor,  by  the  Leirislatuif, 
and  by  public  functionaries  tlirouirhout  the  State  in  eases  of  prave  emergency  and 
leifal  embarrassment.  With  him  rests  the  conduetini;  of  civil  causes  on  behalf  nf 
the  people.  The  validity  of  frruat  ])ublic  contracts  much  depends  on  the  clearnc;- 
with  which  they  are  drawn  u]).  Here  ajrain,  and  in  their  enforcement,  too,  he  is;i 
conspicuous  oiTieer.  l"^x  officio,  he  is  a  Trustee  of  Union  Collefre,  and  other  edu- 
cational institutions,  and  outjht  to  be  a  man  of  pure  eliaracter,  unsullied  fame,  and 
great  legal  learning — a  pattern  to  lawyers — and  a  terror  to  wrong-doers. 

The  predecessor  of  Mr.  .lolin  Van  Buren  was  the  too  notorious  General  George 
P.  Barker,  the  jiarent,  director,  proseeuting-attorney,  and  whipper-in  of  that  curious 
corporation,  the  City  liank  ol'Bufl'alo,  concerning  which,  after  it  brokf  down.  Gov- 
ernor Marcy  reported  that  the  redemption  of  its  notes  by  the  State  Treasury  had 
exceeded  $.'?00,000;  and  that  "  ?7  is  supposed  that  a  still  larger  amount  of  tk 
fraudulent  issues  of  that  bank  than  is  already  redeemed,  is  lurking  yet  in  recesses  onli 
known  to  its  corrupt  managers.''  Messrs.  Flacg,  Marcv,  IJix,  O'Sullivan,  Varian. 
Corning,  laulkner,  Davev.ac,  Holl'man,  Chatfield,  M.  Van  Buren,  and  the  wire- 
pullers of  the  party,  found  among  the  learned  men  of  New  York  but  one  man  fit/' 
rejiresent  tluir  interests  in  the  staticni  of  Attorney  General,  and  that  was  the  chifl 
manager  of  the  guilty  corporation  whose  fraudulent  promises  our  country  was  then 
redeeming  !  They  did  not  choose  Jesse  Hoyt  next — nor  Benjamin  Rathbun — their 
suU'rages  ^\ere  favorable  to  the  author  of  the  eiL'^hteen  letters  in  this  chapter,  who. 
like  Lorenzo  and  Jesse  Hoyt  and  pious  Mr.  Butler,  is  a  true  pupil  of  M.  Va;: 
Buren. 

Perhaps  it  is  all  for  the  best.  G.  P.  Barker  and  J.  Van  Buren  may  have  been 
lifted  up  into  this  high  office,  over  the  oldest,  wisest,  ])Uresl  and  most  rcspectei' 
members  of  the  profession,  as  a  means  of  exhibiting  in  bolder  relief  the  workings oi 
the  vile  machinery  invented  by  Burr  and  improved  by  his  law-student,  by  which 
disgrace  is  brought  on  the  good  cause  of  democracy,  and  the  morals  and  manner.- 


..|  the  country  c 
suitable  remedy 
lulls  at  the  recol 


Dr.  Charles  C 
-lipport  of  the  n 
••  on  account  of 
Rut,  said  he, 

'■  I  (ihject  to  :\rr.  V 
;  1(1 115-iiiiist  lliij  liaii!; 
.■.■ni"il  Ibr  tliu  iriiiTiii' 
!ji:iLliiiiery,  wliicli  ha 
i'lililic  iiiraira,  and  u-i 
..'i:,'iiiii£:  iiliice-lmiitii 
ilio  wniid.  a.s  ili(.  fill 
' ''/(IS.)  arc  lliu  aim, 
fii'i.i  iLiautlior.-j  and  j 

May  his  prayc 

Let  us  supposi 

actcr,  for  instam 

phantom  corpora 

1320 — to  be  arra 

ney  General.     1 

aiul  ask  the  judff 

Can  a  profane,  1 

forth  coming  cla] 

iher  had  '  made 

the  candidate  for 

'if  stocks — can  hi 

his  indigent,  unp 

;i  cell  in  the  pe 

bitches  ' — '  God  ( 

God  ■ — '  d— d   lit 

f'llice,  Irom  a  leg 

(ii's  blessing  on  i 

as  a  director  of  ; 

of  the  bank  of  I 

ncy  General   B. 

Washington  and 

oral  J.  "\';ni  Buret 

Bank  in  Albany, 

vaults,  specuhiiin 

turn  round  to  a  ' 

the  law  in  his  n 

sin?    Is  it  possi' 

when  I  only  folh 

predecessor,'  and 

Persons  of  the 

of  S  100,000  of 

agency  of  the  fit 

Clinton  laid  the  n 

the  present  Atto 

occur  in  1810  woi 

hi  18-26,  Colonel 

^  ork  for  fraud ,  ai 

who  went  to  the  j 

The  U.S.  Lomk 

less  man;  ^  ice  pn 


WHO  CAN  EXPECT  JUSTICE  FROM  ATTORNEY  GEN'l  VAN  BUREN? 


59 


.,t  the  country  corrupted.  I  hat  the  Convention  of  1810  may  unite  to  provide  a 
Hiuable  rem;i(ly  will  b.  the  fervent  prayer  of  every  American  who  -lows  and  glad- 
•  IcMis  at  the  recolleciiuu  ot  the  deeds  of  liis  fathers  in  the  glorious  days  when 

"  Freehorii  milliniis  rose  anil  sworn  '. 

Ttieir  hirlliri-iit.-i  ii>  maiiitiiin  ; 
Re.-Jiilvoil  IK)  tlirciu'ii  ynko  In  lirar, 

To  tlrui;  no  lymiu's  cliuiu." 

Dr.  Charles  Cooke,  a  Senator  of  Virginia,  when  he  withdrew  in  i830  from  the 
-lipport  of  the  national  administration,  ohjcete.l  to  Messrs.  Calhoun  and  Webster 
"liut"  said  h"'^       ^^"""^  discrepancy  between  their  political  principles  "  and  his  own. 

May  his  prayer  soon  l)e  heard  ! 

Let  us  suppose  a  protiirrate,  fraudulent,  bank  president  or  director— such  a  char- 
acter, for  instance,  as  some  of  the  'Life  and   Fire,'  '  U.  S.  Lombard,'  or  other 
phantom  corporations  gave  up  to  indictment  or  the  penitentiary  in  the  memorable 
l3^b-lo  be  arraigned  at  the  bar  of  justice,  Mr.  John  Van  Buren   acting  as  Attor- 
ney Lreneral.      Ihe  guilty  creature  might  read  to  the  court  :\[r.  Y.  B's  18  letters 
ami  ask  the  judge  ••  Why  is  he  //urc  and  me  /„ n'-h  this  a  bind  ol-ein.al  iaws'-I 
tan  a  prolane    betting  profigate,  who  look  advauluire  of  his  kuowledrrc  of  the 
uiith  coming  elap-lrap,  six-miilion  loan  message  of  Governor  Marey,  whom  his  fa- 
der liad     made  a  ludgx; '  to  keep  from  utter  ruin,  and  which  message  was  to  make 
the  camiidatc  lor  Mayor  of  New  York,  '  run  like  the  cholera,'  and  affect  the  iirioc 
'it  stocks— can  he,  who  used  that  message  to  enrieh  himself,  thro' the  aircncv  of 
■us  indigent   unprincipled  as.sociaK^cau  be  <h-serve  honors,  while  to  inc  is  awarded 
a  cell  in  the  penitentiary?     Look  at  his  language!     Are  such  terms  as  'Poor 
miches  —  Godd— n  you,  Jesse  —' be  d— d  to  vou  — 'd— d  stock  —' as  sure  as 
,11"  — ;"— u   lies,    calmly   and  delib'eratelv  selected,  too— arc  they  passiiorls   to 
nlhcc    Irom  a  legislature,  who  hire  a  holy  man  of  God  to  come  and  invoke  lieav- 
<  11  s  blessing  on  their  deliiieratious  every  morning  I     I  have  been  in  error,  'tis  true 
as  a  director  ol  a  bank— but  was  not  Attorney  General  M.  Van  Buren,  a  director 
01  the  bank  ot  Hudson  ?     Every  body  knows  wher(>  it  went  to.      Was  not  Attor- 
ney General   13.    F.   Butler,    President,    Cashier,   Director  and  Altornev   fJr    the 
U  ashingion  and  Warren  I     Every  body  knows  about  it.     Was  iioi  Altin-ney  Gen- 
P    1   •     ■'",    "'''^"  diiector  and  proseeutino-  attorney  fer  the  Farmers  and  Meehanies 
l^aiilv  111  Albany,  wiieii  it  had  borrowed  millions  of  tlie  public  revenue  and  shut  its 
vaults,  speculating  with  Us  specie  and  deeeivinir  its  creditors!  Can  John  Van  Buren 
■urn  round  to  a  '  god-learing  '  jury  of  professing  christians,  as  the  chief  minisier  of 
the  law  m  Ins  native  State,  and  'cast  the  first   stone'  at  his  ancient  comrade  in 
Mn.     Js  It  possible,  that,  at /»,s-  bidding,  you  will  stamp  i,nii/l  ui  on  my  forehead 
when  I  only  followed   the  example  of  Attorney  Generaf  Barker,    his  '  illustiious 
predecessor,    and  when  the  records  of  our  courts  show,  that  '  they  all  do  it  "  " 
.r  I'fnn^.l""'-  >\"'ne  of  Livingston  and  'I'racy  got  hold,  secretly  and  fraudulently, 
ot   3100,000  ot  the  funds  of  the  !\Ierchanis'  Bank  of  New  York,  throeeli  the 
agency  of  the  first  teller,  John  W.  Thorne.     All  three  went  to  jail.  Governor 
Uinlon  laid  the  matter  before  the  Senate,  and  they  referred  it— March,  1819— to 
the  present  Attorney  GeneraFs  father,  Mr.  Van  Buren.     Should  a  similar  case 

T^'^L^o  l?^,^  "?"J.''  '^  ^^  ''^'^^  '°  '"^''^  '^  t"  1'"^  """""•  "''  'l>e  eighteen  letters? 
in  W-2b,  (.olonei  Prosper  ]\L  Wetmore  was  indicted  by  the  Grand  Jury  of  New 
lork  lor  fraud,  and  afiprwards  used  bv  ^ilaxwej!  a?.  States'  evidence  anamst  Hyatt 
Tv!°  Jr  c  ^T  ^^'^  Pei'itentiary,  and  against  Barker  and  others  then  they're  convicted.' 
itie  U,  b.  Lombard,  of  which  Hyatt  was  president,  and  Wetmore  (the  active  busi- 
^css  man;  ^.ee  president,  had  got  a  charter— Us  officers  had  filed  their  oath  that  its 


60 


ATTOBNEY  GENERAL  VAN  BUREN — A  TRUE  PICTURE. 


capital  (hundreds  of  thousands  of  dolhirs)  was  paid  up,  hut  they  well  knew  that 
nol  over  five  cents  in  the  dollar  iiad  liciii  mo  ])aid,  if  as  uiufh — tiiey  pretended  to  he 
ill  a  llourishinir  condition  when  on  th(!  (^ve  ot  l)ankru[)tcy,  and  divided  profits  though 
ihey  had  realized  none.  When  the  huhhle  Inirsst  the  [)ul»lie  was  eiieated  out  of 
more  than  $()00,00(t.  Are  not  laws  for  the  piihlic  heiiefit?  What  a  farce  it 
would  he  to  entrust  a  case  like  that  to  a  Hutler  or  a  Xnn  Ikiren  !  By  their  politi- 
cal machinery,  General  Weimorc  ap[)eared  in  the  legislature  of  Mew  York,  183G, 
to  vote  for  Barker's  Hufliilo  Hank,  and  for  other  Banks  hy  which  our  honest,  hard 
working  people  have  heen  defrauded  out  of  millions  of  dollars.  tJeneral  Prosper, 
hy  the  like  machinery,  is  now  "  Navy  Agent  at  New  York,"  one  of  the  most 
lucrative  and  important  offices  in  the  Union  ! 

[No.  1.]     John  Van  Burin  to  Jesse  HoyI,  at  iWio  York. 
Why  God  D — n  you,  Jesse  !  b\iy  my  stock  and  draw  upon  me  at  sight. 
You  must  he  poor  hi/clus  down  there,  if  you  cannot  raise  this  two  penny  sum. 
If  the  Stock  lias  gone  up,  let  it  go  to  H — //. 

The  Bank  will  come  up  against  the  ?Safety  Fund  Banks,  and  depress  stocks — the 
Governor's  measure  will  eventually  relieve  the  country.     Yours  truly, 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 
Albany,  March  25th,  1834. 

[No.  2.]  Address — Jesse  Iloyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  New  York.  Paid 
12i— Pm  k  "  Albanv  March  22." 

My  Dear  Jksse — Please  let  Nevins  and  Townsend  buy  me  100  shares  of  Moh. 
and  Hud.  \i.  R.  for  cash  at  536,  and  Bost.  and  Prov.,  100  shares  at  92i  cash; 
drawing  (m  me  at  3  days  sight  for  the  ainount. 

If  better  terms  can  he  had  by  taking  the  stocks  two  weeks  hence  (buying  on 
time)  1  should  like  it  belter.  I  fear  stocks  will  rise  after  Monday,  and  therefore  I 
vaiit  these  purchases  made  Monday,  but  leave  it  open  after. 

L''t  the  bi'sxgars  deal  honestly  hy  me  for  I  lose  a  deal  of  money  any  how. 

There  will  he  something  done  here  Monday  that  will  charm  you  Yorkers. 

Lawrence  will  run  like  the  Chohra. 

Please  ask  Bucknor  to  hand  you  the  amount  of  differences  at  which  my  fifty 
shares  Manhattan  stock  were  settled,  and  send  it  to  me. 

Yours  very  truly,  and  much  better. 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 

Albany,  March  22d,  1834. 

[No.  3.]  Per  mail,  post  mark,  "  Albany — Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law, 
New  York." 

My  Deak  Jesse — ^The  purchase  by  N.  and  T.  of  100  Mohawk  at  96,  is  very 
good.  I  understand  it  to  be  payable  in  all  next  week.  I  shall  be  in  N.  Y.  next 
Monday  (31st  inst.)  and  shall  then  arrange  it. 

Please  countermand  the  order  for  Boston  and  Providence  :  I  should  prefer  not  to 
buy  it;  and  if  it  is  purchased  and  can  be  resold  without  loss,  let  it  be  done — any 
how,  as  Lord  Grey  said,  I  shall  stand  by  my  '  order.'         Y''ours  verv  truly, 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 

Albany,  March  28th,  1834. 

[No.  4.]  My  Dear  Jesse, — Nevins  and  Townsend  write  me  that  they  have 
bought  my  Utica  Stock.  Please  get  the  :noney  for  the  enclosed  and  pay  them.  / 
do  not  wish  to  correspond  with  them  directly. 

Let  the  certificate  be  made  out  in  my  name,  and  send  it  to  me  by  some  private 
conveyance,  or  keep  it  till  I  come  down,  which  will  be  shortly. 

Yours  very  truly, 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 
Albany,  April  I7th,  1834. 

[No.  5.]  My  Dear  Jesse, — With  the  slender  assistance  of  the  above  [a  draft 
for  $780]  fortified  by  the  enclosed  [a  check  for  $31,10],  you  will,  I  think,  be 
able,  (if  you  will  do  me  the  favor,)  to  satisfy  the  following  demands — 


Nevins  & 
$  100— Minth 

If  it  falls  s 
most  meet  to  s 

I  intend  to  ) 

P.  S.  I  th( 
Albany,  Jur 
Per  mail,  Ji 

[No.  6.J  Rl 
cloihes  are  al 
will  send  it  to 

Can  yon  gei 
State  that  the 


Albany,  Au< 

N.  B.  Our 
tall  majority  in 
majority. 


[No.  7.] 
:  Patterson  R. 


M 

of! 

at  ihe  boys. 

Keep  the  pui 

I  shall  go  we 

in  my  absence  t 

out  and  save  mi 

Sept.  5,  1831 
Jesse  Hoyt,  1 
Endorsed  "  c 

[No.  8.]     P'i 

My  Dear  Ji 
know  that  /  am 
that  you  have  pu 
sum  of  mojiey, 

I  see  that  on 
was  when  I  aut^ 

I  know  nothir 
it  had  been  risii 
forthwith. 

Perhaps  it  wii 
and  if  I  own  an 

If  I  get  out  of 
reports  read. 

Avon  Springs 

Alby.  p.  m'k- 
[No.  9.]  My 
the  Church,'  anc 
REM.  [removal] 
see  but  I  must  k 
My  imprcssior 
If  the   poor  Wf, 

(OOusida.    &)••] 


GAMBLING,    SWEARING  AND  STOCKJOBBING. 


61 


Ncvins  &  Townsend  $391,46— Chester  Jennings  $230— "Younc"  Wilson 
$100— Minthoriio  Tompkins  $70.  ^  " 

If  it  (alls  short,  parcel  it  out  to  the  Cormorants,  in  such  bits  as  you  may  deem 
most  meet  to  subserve  their  several  necessities. 

I  intend  to  walk  into  the  Mohawk  soon. 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 

'>-'!  Albany,  w\"t[,l8t.""  '"''^'  ''  ''''  ""  "  ""^-     '^'^  '''''^'  ^^^^  '''^- 

Per  mail,  June  14. 

[No.  O.J     M V  Dka  R  Jksse,— For  G— d's  sake  send  me  mv  over  coat— mv  under- 

wUl  sem?  H  o     '''""'  ""^'  ^'"^  ^  '^"'  '^  ^^°^'""'    '^''^  "  '"'  "''''^"  '"  Wheeler's,  who 

<!,^?",?' wi?""!  r'i"''  ^'«f  °?  Governor,  even?     We  shall  lick  the  Dogs  so  in  this 
State  that  the  '  Great  West'  will  hear  the  howling. 

Yours  truly, 
Albany,  Aug't  29th,  1834.  J.  VAN  BUREN. 

N.  B.     Our  brethren  in  Oneida  are  all  '  with  one  accord  united'— look  out  for  a 
tall  majority  m  O.  (1)     '  Perish  C.  P.  C.  Beardsley'  (2)  will  be  re-elected  by  1500 


nf t^H  ^'^     n  ^o^^*"  JESSK.-Please  let  Nevins  &  Townsend  buy  me  100  shares 

;[  ilie  hoys"  "'  ^^  ''"'  ""  "''""P  """  ''"''''''^-     ^  """"'  ''''"^  '•"  '^^ 

Keep  the  purchased  note  till  I  see  you. 

I  shall  go  west  this  afternoon,  and  return  in  3  or  4  weeks.  If  anythins  turns  ud 
m  my  absence  to  depress  stocks  rapidly  and  seriously,  which  is  hardly  possible,  sell 
out  and  save  me  from  loss.  Yours  truly 

Sept.  5,  1834.  '       J"  ^AN  BUREN. 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor,  &c..  New  York. 
Endorsed  "  charge  J.  V.  B.     Paid  12^." 

[No.  8.]    P'm'k^'' Avon,  N.  Y.,  S^28"-franked  by  "  M.  V.  Buren  » 
My  JUear  Jesse,— I  make  use  of  a  frank  the  old  man  left  with  me,  to  let  you 

Know  that  lam  about  as  unhappy  a  d /  as  you  ivould  loish  to  see— from  the  fear 

that  you  ham  purchased  me  some  Patterson  R.  R.  Stock,  on  which  I  am  to  lose  a  lar<re 
sum  of  money.  'jo^uiui^c 

I  see  that  on  Wednesday  it  left  off  at  81i,  which  is  8  or  9  per  cent  lower  than  it 
was  when  I  authorized  you  to  buy  for  me. 
I  know  nothing  of  the  d d  stock,  except  that  Bremner  was  dealing  in  it,  and 

flrlhtith!"  '"'""        ^  ™°"    '  ''"''  ^  '"'''^'^  '^°'^  ""^  ''"y^""  '^""'^  ^''^""^  't  ''"^^n 
Perhaps  it  will  go  still  lower,  and  may  be  worth  nothing  for  all  I  know.     If  so 

and  If  1  own  any,  sell  if  you  thmk  best,  and  let  me  lose  the  present  difference. 
11 1  get  out  ot  this  job,  you  may  consider  me  "  discharged  cured"  as  the  Cholera 

reports  read.  Yours  ever  truly, 

J    VAN  BURPN 
Avon  Springs,  Sept.  27,  Saturday,  [1834.]  "      * 

Alby.  p.  m'k— Oct.  7.     Paid  25  cts.     Addressed  to  Mr.  Hoyt,  at  New  York. 

[x\o.  9.]  My  Dear  Hoyt,— They  say  '  the  Hood  of  the  Martyrs  is  the  seed  of 
DL-vi  r''^  '  ^1?  'i^^''^"  '^""^^  ^  ^^"'^  ''een  freely  tapped  in  the  good  cause.  THE 
RL.\1  [removal]  OF  THE  DEP.  [deposits]  co'st  me  a  fortune,  and  novv  I  do„T^ 
see  but  I  must  lose  another  hunk  of  my  little  earnings. 

My  impression  is  that  Stocks  will  go  up  till  Election,  and  fall  immediately  after. 
ii_Uie   poor  Whigs  could  carry  a  Constable  somewhere  and  get  up  a  JubUee, 
(0  Onsida.    (2>  "  P»rish  crodil,  perisli  commerce  BeariWej'." 


62 


BETTING  AND  nAMBLlNG  BV  ATt'y  GEn'l  VAN  BUUEN. 


stocks  would  rise.  New  Jersey  may  tro  lor  them,  and  e^ive  ihem  a  lilip — but  Penna, 
will  kiioekthem  stilTiiext  W( '.;k — ho  will  Ohio — and  so  will  N.  Y. 

It' you  (;oul(l  fret  the  ditlerence  \wX  on  Marcy,  I  should  say  '  Sell  hy  all  means' — 
and  any  how  I  don't  know  but  you  had  belter  sell.  Do  exaeily  as  you  s.'e  fit.  I 
shall  1)1!  down  before  ii  I'alls  liue  |)robal)ly — meantime  I  sliould  be  most  par/iculnrlij 
obliijed  to  von,  if  you  ran  i>it  //c  an  even  bet  a^nmsl  Many  to  (ini/  niiiount  k.ss  than. 
FIVE  Tito  US  AM)  DOLLARS. 

I  think  I  would  bet  $  10(1  on  eaeh  1000  majority  up  to  5000. 

I  wcudd  bet  .$  ITjOO  aj^ainst  !*i  1000  on  an  even  eleelion. 

I  eonsidcr  Marcy's  election,  by  from  7,500  to  15,000  majority,  AS  SURE  AS 
COD. 

You  know  best  how  inucli  the  Patterson  is  worth,  and  you  must  do  exactly  as 
if  it  was  your  own,  and  I  shall  bo  satisfied. 

Yours  trulVi 

^  J.  V.  B. 

Make  me  some  bets  if  possible.  Tuesday. 

P.  S.    The  Whigs  may  gather  pluck  after  some  meetings  or  some  things. 

Post  mark,  Albany — addressed    j  Mr.  Hoyt  at  N.  Y. 

[No.  10.]  My  Dear  Jksse — I  should  think  you  right  about  selling  the  Patter- 
son, if  it  will  not  do  to  hold. 

By  the  looks  of  Webb's  paper,  {allho^  it  is  intrnt/cd  no  doubt  to  oprratn  on  New 
Jers'y,)  the  opposition  gained  confidence.  Can  you  tmipt  thciii  with  A  WAGER 
on  ;] — 1— and  .')000  Majorities— S  200  on  each— or  $500  on  4000? 

If  neither  of  these  can  he  got  tomorrow,  bet  them  $500  on  5000  majority. 

There  will  ba  no  betting  after  toinorroiv. 

Save  the  order  for  Bust,  and  Prov.  open — the  Moh.  is  all  right. 

We  have  nominated  a  strong  ticket,  iho'  Livingston  (Ned)  is  the  Assembly  man, 
contrary  to  all  expectation.  Yours  ever  truly, 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 

Albany,  Oct.  I2th  1834. 


Per.  mail,  post  mark,  Albany,  paid. 
[No.  11.]     Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor,  &c.  New  York. 

Don't  be  '  uneasy '  Jesse — Go  ahead.  I  wrote  you  by  Sunday's  boat :  but  I 
suppose  as  there  was  no  mail  the  letter  mis-carried.  I  think  stocks  will  fall  this 
week — Sell  if  you  thiidc  best. 

Can  you  irrt  BET.S  on  thr.^e,  four,  and  five  thousand  majority  for  Mavcy,  two 
hundred  dollars  on  each  I — if  not,  1  will  bet  five  hundred  dollars  on  four  thousand — 
perhaps,  if  we  lose  New  Jersey,  you  can  get  tliis. 

If  you  can't  do  better,  I  slwuld  like  a  bet  of  three  hundred  dollars  on  five  thousand 
majority  for  Marcy — unless  we  lose  N.  J.  :  in  that  event  1  will  wait  to  get  belter 
terms.  Y''ouis  trulv, 

.1.  VAN  BUREN. 

Albany,  Oct.  14,  1834. 

P.  S. — I  WILL  BP^iT  on  five  thousand  majority  for  Lucas  in  Ohio. 


[No.  12.]  Mv  Dear  Hoyt — You  have  worked  the  Patterson  Rail  Road  very 
well.  I  am  shocked  at  the  shares  only  being  $50,  having  become  reconciled  to  at 
least  d(nible  the  loss. 

Tell  Wilson  that  I  have  an  impression  that  he  promised  to  invest  $500  or  so,  for 
me,  provided  I  kept  out  of  the  '  betting  ring,"  so  as  to  encourage  the  enemy  to  give 
him  a  fair  chance. 

If  I  am  right,  and  even  if  I  am  not,  I  count  upon  his  nobility  to  spare  inc  $500 
even  on  Marcy,  out  of  his  big  invistment. 

I  shall  be  in  New  Y'ork  the  last  of  the  month — let  me  know  what  W.  says. 

Amours  truly, 

J.  V.  B. 

Albany,  Oct.  15,  18.11. 

P.  S.  I  dont  care  to  bet  on  5000  majority  for  Marcy  just  now  :  if  it  is  not  too 
iatti  tu  back  eut- 


[No.  13.]  I 
deliverablt!  in  (! 
you  send  an  on 
pair  of  neat  wi 
shall  eoiue  to  T» 


Albany,  Dee 
Per  mail  and 

,[\o.  14.J  [. 
\ork — care  of 
My  ])|..au  Jt 
i(p  .stdl  me  10(» 
slioiild  iKit,  jir< 
I'll'teted  the  sale 
pevate  a  .small  ji 
Is  Lungett  w: 

Alhany,  Dee. 

P.  S.  1  have 
iitlend  all  the  C( 
WORK.' 

^  [No.  15]     P' 
Siiijfle. 
.Mv  Dear  Je 

Id  deposit,  subje 
an-angenient  of  i 
you  may  choose 
hclcc'.iHl  to  loan 

All  onr  Bunks 

The  Bank  her 
yon  will  pay  7  p 

ir  this  meets  ; 

If  you  agree  i 
Mint,  please  send 
yon  u-rite. 

Your  note  mi 
slionld  pay  it  wl 
not  be  till  ire  sec  , 

Albany,  Aug'i 

[No.  If,.]     Ad 

P'lii'k,  Aib'y,  N 
,My  Dear  Ho 

liavi,'  stood  the  d- 
1  hope  the  frig 

besides  Register, 

lose  one. 
Ill  this  State  oi 
Bits  on  15  are 
Fur  G— d's  sal, 

''•night  napping  tl 


Albany,  Nov.  J 

[No.  17.]     Alb 

'  My  Dear'  H 

check,  for  your  co 


VAN  HUREN,  HOYT  AND  CUTTINg's  PARTNERSHIP.  63 

[No.  13.]     My  Dkak  JFSSE-Please  sell  me  100  shares  Bosior.  &  Providence 
deliv.rabl-  m  (,i  days,  at  lOTi  or  lOT.j.     I  sl.all  l.o  in  New  York  thm  ™      <  ari 

you  send  un  order  to  and  Kn.d.ail,  \o.  ;}  Wall  St.,  to  n.ake  n.e  /)M/^l 

,,a,ro    nea    ^^.nt..r  Hoots  u.t,   heel,  an  ineh   hi,!.;    I  ^vant  them  to  VearwlaU 
t^hall  eonie  to  New  \  ork,  and  tiiat  will  he  hy  Tlmrsday. 

Yours  truly, 

Albany.  Dee.  7.h,IRr{l.  ^-    ^AN  BIJREN. 

Per  mail  and  steamboat,  "  eh.  .1.  V.  ]}." 


,  l''Ii  ^*'-'^''  J'^^f':-^''';-'"^'^*!  i«  ,y"ur  note.  Jf  the  order  to  Nevins  &  Townsend 
w  Ml  me  100  .hares  ...s,„,.  &•  Providenee  at  K.Tj  to  5  at  00  days  and  Jn"  rest 
^  0,;  d  no  j^ronM/v,  have  been  eountermanded  in  season,  I  „L  it  hey  ave 
'  II. '  ed  the  sale  :  ,1  so,  ha  them  close  n  at  the  present  priees,  so  that  1  may  recu- 
pevate  a  .small  portion  of  my  losses.  '  ^       " 

Is  Leogett  wicked  or  crazy  l  Yours  truly, 

Albany,  Dec.  .lOth,  18:m.  J.  VAX  BUREN. 

,„^;i^"ii  .?''?'.''  ''"■"'"*■  "''  P^'nf^'sl'ip  ^'1  linv  with  Col.  McKoun:  one  of  us  will 
1  nd  .all  the  Courts  and  we  shall  be  HAPPY  TO  DO  ANY  BODY'S    'iMlUT 

J.  V.  B. 

SnSe.  '^^     ^'"'  "'  ''^"*''''  '^""^-  ^'^'  ""'^  =»l^'>-essed  to  J.  Hoyt,  Wall  st.,  N.  Y. 

t„  W^'n^f"  .■^.''^'■'-""  '^"'1"''T  1  find  that  T  can  pet  one  of  the  Banks  in  this  city 
to  deposit,  subjee    t.,  their  .,wn  order,  sneh  sum  as  may  he  requisite  to  make  the 
n..M,^en,eMt  ol  which  we  s;  „ke,  in  any  Pank  m  New  York,  (say  the  P Z ,    )  t     ? 
m.  n,ay  Hioose  :  this  will  answer  the  purpose  provided    i  can  ge        clia  1 
■scIcc.hI  to  loan  you  the  moncif  on  your  Note.  b         ^  ^a.ui. 

All  onr  Banks  arc  nearly  up  to  their  limit,  and  I  canm.t  borrow  the  money 

11'  this  meets  your  views  you  will  please  advise  me  by  return  mail 
J    yon  n^rve  to  gtvc  mc  half  the  profit,  of  ihn  rntcrpnze  for  malang  this  arrange- 
Zlcntc  '"  "  '"I"""'""  '"  "'"'  ^'■"'  "^"'^'  ^V  yoir.s.J/an/Cutling,  rchrt 

Vour  note  miahf  be  made  payable  on  deman.l,  with  an  understanding  that  vou 

Albany,  Au,-t::3rd,  ,836.  '  J-  VAN  BUREN. 

[No.  ifij  Addressed  to  .lesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  Wall  st.,  N  Y 
'  III  ic,  Alb  y.  JNov.  11.     biutjle. 

Mv  Dear  Hovt-I'II  do  the  justice  to  say,  (and  so  does  my  father,)  that  you 
k  c  stood  the  d— -d  lies  Irom  Pemra  belter  than  most  of  our  iriends  in  N   Y 

I  lope  the  frifTht  fnm.  this  dictates  the  letters  to  us,  saying  that  all  of  our  tickets 
lose  one   ^^''''"■'  ^^  """''  ""''"  '''"  ''''"^•^  ""''  '"  ^'^"^'"'-     ^  ^ou't  believe  we  shall 

n'  .*'''^  ^}''}^'^  ""''  "l=ij"''ity  will  range  from  15  to  25,000. 


Bits  on  15  arc  perfect h/  sal'i . 

P-n!''"u^~''"^  ''4"'  '"'  "''!^  '""""'^  ^""'  '^'^  "if^"'  ••attention  to  New  Jersey,  and  not  be 
cuiglit  napping  there,  as  in  Connecticut.     My  father  a-isks  me  to  say  so  to  you. 

Yours  truly, 

Albany,  Nov.  llth,183G.  i.  VAN  BUREN. 


f  m""  't!'^     Albany  P'm'k,  Dec.  19.     Postage  double. 

M,cM  ^      ■^'''  ■^"''.'^  (""^  ^""^^  ^^^''''^  ^'"^''s  t«  '  Webb')— I  enclose  you   your 
cneck,  tor  your  comtort— it  was  deposited  in  the  Bank  for  collection,  and,  of  course 


64 


VAN  BUREN.  HOYT  AND  COLLECTOR  LAWRENCE. 


is  returned  to  you  without  incnnvenionce.  As  for  money,  I  dont  know  that  I  shall 
be  |)fC'ili(ir  short  (not  physically  hut  jitruniarih/)  uiMcwh  Himton  and  Providence 
should  po  down  to  ;i  inert'  anaioiny.  In  th:it  event  1  fiMr  the  ex-Danish  Coiuinis- 
sioner  and  myself  will  he  a  '  hejow-jiar  nohile'  of  fulftirers. 

Please  to  lei  Willard  of  the  City  Hotel  be  apprized  that  I  want  two  flannel  shirts, 
and  as  many  [)airs  of  drawers,  to  be  had  of  Tryon  for  a  trille,  alias  credit. 

I  am  not  a  '  ('ouneellor'  and   be  d d   to  you — and  if  1  were  I  should  spell  it 

with  an  'S'  in  the  middle.  Yours  'to  sarve,' 

J.  VAN  nUREN. 

Albany,  Dee.  lOth,  183:{. 

P.  S.  Since  the  forenoinf;  oifusion  was  poured  forth,  1  have  enquired  at  the 
Bank,  and  find  your  cheek  has  been  sent  to  New  York.  I  suppose  the  easiest 
way  '  lo  work  it'  is  to  enclose  you,  as  I  do,  my  eheck  on  this  bank  for  the  same 
amount,  pa\  able  at  the  same  time.  J.  V.  B. 

Jesse  lloyt,  I'laq.,  &e.  &c.  &c. 


[No.  IH.]     Deah  Sir — Ph  iise  pay  (Jlover  one  hundred  and   fifty  dollars  and 
accommodate  your  recently  much  aiiuscd  frund, 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 
At  your  office.  Saturday,  2  P.  M.   (May,  1833.) 
Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Purity  of  Elections — Wri^^ht,  Van  Iiurrn,an(i  Marcy,  on  bets,  wagers,  stochjoblnn^, 
and  '"'■  j)rivileged  associations.'''  Isaac  Hill  on  bets — ditto,  Ritchie.  John  V.  Duren 
and  the  6  ntiltion  loan.  Pt  i/ing;  the  Piper.  Mr.  Hoyt  dunned — summoned  to  tk 
Mi'iy.  '■'■  Somethim;  Joyful."'  Hoyt,  Cutlins;  and  V.  Burcn's  partnership.  Bvf- 
J'alo  Bank  Notes,  yeiu  Polosi.  New  Hope,  Del.  Bridge  Co. — Leake,  Hoyi, 
Beers,  Marry  and  Delajield.    Morris  Canal  Co.     C.  C.  Cambrelcng. 

In  October,  1810,  Messrs.  Butler,  Hoyt,  *  C.  W.  Lawrence,  Morris,  Edmonds, 
Bowne,  S.  Alley,  Stevenson,  ^'arian,  and  others,  exhibited  a  somewhat  unubual 
anxiety  to  preserve  what  they  called  the  purity  ol  elections.  Mayors  and  Recorders 
visited  private  dwellings  at  midnight,  as  Sherifls'  constables,  with  only  this  difi'er- 
ence,  that  they  acted  without  law  or  warrant.  The  most  private  and  secret  jjapers 
of  our  citizens  were  seized,  because  "  the  constitution  was  in  danger,"— the  satety 
of  the  people  being  the  supreme  law,  and  their  object,  as  they  said,  to  punish 
treason  against  the  republic,  by  "  unmasking  the  traitors.''  M  they  then  failed  in 
so  laudable  a  purpose,  n-e,  by  means  of  this  unpretending  volume,  may  now  have 
better  success. 

Gov'r.   Marcy,  in  1830,  in  his  annual  message,  endeavored  to  impress  upon  the 

*  [Letter Mr.  Hoyl  to  Hon.  C.  W.  Lawrence. — Marked  '  not  sent.') 

New  York,  Nov.  'il,  1S3C. 

Dear  Sir— As  llie  exrileiiieut  of  the  clerlimi  has  in  a  iireat  degree  pa.sseil  away,  it  is  proper  tlial  I  should 
pay  aiteotiou  to  tlios,'  iiii'iijc-nls  in  wliicli  i  am  eoncerneil,  connected  with  if,  though  perliapa  I  ouglu  lo 
ap  ilogize  lo  y<in  for  not  havinu  lone  iliis  .sooner. 

Von  will  riM-olli'Ct  that  when  I  was  reproarhed  hy  yon  (or  havina:  voted  a  "  split  ticket,"  that  I  proposal 
to  till  i/iiii  -81(111,  t/iiil  i/tiii  %-iJtiil  xrhiil  inix  gi-iirnilhj  called  ••  the  Pnrter  Mii^  'J'icket^"  and  thai  I  would 
take  n|Hin  myself  tlie'hnrllu'n  of  proof  lo  eslablisli  ilial  fact. 

Vonr  reply  was  tliai  yon  "  wonlil  take  the  bet.  if  I  look  upon  myself  the  hnrtticn  of  proof,  for  you  never 
h.ad  told  any  one  liow  yon  had  voteil,'' 

I  an-swered  that  il  slionid  lie  c.onsiilered  a  twt — 

There  are  yarion..-  ways  leeoL'iiizecl  in  legal  proceedinsrs  of  makins:  proof  and  competent  proof  too  in  cnurti 
of  law,  and  fornnis  of  conscience,  and  which  perliap.s  did  not  oi-cur  to  ycni  when  yon  observed  you  "  liaJ 
never  told  any  one  how  you  had  voted."  After  such  a  remark,  the  right  niore  peenliarly  liolonjed  to  nieto 
Select  my  own  trdmnal.  lliroin.;h  which  I  would  make  the  proof,  1  volunteered  to  make.  That  tribunal  is  a 
conn  of  E(|niiy,  or  In  olhei  words  a  court  of  conscience. 

1,1  Eoijland,  the  country  fr<mi  which  we  have  derived  most  of  our  legal  forms,  certain  high  dignitiirics 
answer  bills  \n  lj\\\hy  ii/toii  Iwnur  ami  not  vpun  oalli.  I  am  perfectly  willing  to  place  you  on  the  same 
footins  and  I  therefore  desire  you  to  consider  this  my  hill  in  E  piiiy.  charging  that  yon  voted,  the  ticke: 
referred  lo  I  ask  you  to  answer  the  charge,  upon  honor,  and  whatever  the  answer  may  be  I  siiall  l)e  perfecil.v 
Sui:3'icd  -.vilh. 

I  enclose  you  my  check  for  the  8100,  to  your  order,  which  you  will  use,  if  under  the  circumstances  you 
are  euiitled  to,  anil  if  uol  you  will  please  lo  return  it,  with  your  own  for  an  equal  aiuouat. 

Willi  gr'i  ra.'jpast^  ysurabsdiauiMrv't.  J.  UOVT. 


i.ul)iic  mind  lit 
laiiiiary  last,  i 
(■lis  "  of  hettii 
Dr.    |S3i»,  id 
swindler    who 
L'lvatcr  advanlii 
111,'  iiitero.st  ill 
iTly  in  the  com 
J'rL'ci..iely  at 
ri'liinui;r  of  llie 
.Mr.  Miitier,  :is 

ullii  .siiiiglit  "  ;i 

iiili'Milino-  there 
I'^^iN  ;ill  ci.i.ssi' 
^jH'cuiaiiiiii  and 

!,'aV('  (liiriiiiy  to 
WiMllh,    V\llicl|   1 

hi  siilistiiiili'  fur 

I  lli'iiiiinlu  iiiiliil 

I'lishcil  am!  en.sl 

||.^,  iiisteail  ol'  il 

oiij''ct  and  siipp 

linviiege.wf  confei 

No  man  labor 

-iiinild  not  be  ol 

ifo  :ill<l  hi.s  pup! 

eliM'lioli.-i,  oiiiiihli 

ilci^lions"  ih;ni 

ery  oiii  lustily  ai 

liettiiigaiKl  }t;i 

but  with  ijie  \'ai 

.AIc'ii  are  warm 

ii;iil  not  arrived  a 

Wint  was  his  co 

Mr.  \'ait  JJiire 

I'll  lid.     Even  in 

''iHifeilerali!  Hoyt 

»(•!•(■  i)/i/i/  i/sefiil 

Khu'h  appear  "in  t 

Wiio  of  our  G( 

!"2'eil    ttssociation 

tlii'iii,  than  Mr.  ^ 

ill  Ills  message  of 

■Id>cni  it  to  bo  mi 

;  "!'''l.   CiUTi.'d  to  lll,>  0 

'■I'''.  I>e,aliii£r  in  sloe 
:'M"lMCes  mosi  of  the  e 
' '!>''ic^it>-  lfthi.skii 
■  'Hily  liiis  been  carried 
"  111"-"  who  h.'iil  it  r 
'■■' '  did  not  e.vprci  a  ili 
'  '■  >:"ck,  ;ind  !lie  lo.is 
/'ii'ici.  This  i.^  nil  II 
'■■  It  is  Worse  than  ' 
'  I'l  iiiaiLmeiiMiil,  and  I 

V'';!''"';  'I  Lsiriie,  oili 
'■'■lircd  voiil.  hill  Ih,-  I 
11-^  n-|ir,>Mnialives;  y,. 
'  "liich  this  spcci,.< ,, 

'^:i-' have  embarked  in 

CJiivernor  Mare^ 
■'"1''  uiFub.  is-w'y] 
ruined.  He  wroK 
'iiin.   advising  the 


VAN  nrREM  ON  SAFETY  FUND  BANKS-MAUCY  ON  STOCK-JOBB.XO.        65 

MMinll.T    who    »s,..  marke     Ss  in       1,  ""    .t,  ,.ro,,-lauu,  .1  t!uu.  -The 

.'n.;.t,.ra,lva„tajrL-.s  11/?.   ^w  ^.L  «;tw.  .hnu-ho„.s..,  du...  not  enjoy 

>T.y  i..  Ih..  counfrv  th,.  Mikes  ■ '  ^  """''  "''"  ""^  «"'J«'  ""^  '^l'  '!'«  prop- 

rin;;;:;';l?  v:i:z  t';i '^'^':- .^t':;  !''••-'''-  y-  ^^"-  <^^"  i-'o  li-.  as  a 

M.'.  M..tl..r,i,s  .som.>  s' v     c-  n  im.',     r         ""•"•^^'f-''  *   ^vnttm  for  i,o..u.rity"  (by 
I i.d.nu-  Ihrrd.y  "  ti    .mdu.      ,  ,  ,  1^  ^ '.  '"''  "',''  "'^'''"'"y  ^'"'ivored  hanks, 

IHfiilaiioii  aiK  oxtrava.riincc— to  .w.iniu.    ;,,  ^*^'7'"''^»-  "'^,J>"'5  foi'  iho  means  of 
.'av..  di.n.lv  lo  h„...u,   in.    '  c  a  I,     ,.  '",!''"['■"••". '"  ""•,  '-'"ly  virtues  that 

^v.lih.  which  ro. rs  tho^^nl  .  J  H     ,    „        '"'' '"-^"'"".'^  '-njoym.MU  u„d  sudden 

|H'.v.l.....s  ..oMlirrcl  hy  ;a;;!;;N;::!:J!;.:,:'-;""""->'  ^""^*^'"'  =^  ^i^^-'  "»•  ''-elusive 

-i.' m";;;:;  l;o'":S;::.":.:;;:i;':;:;^;::i?;'r:'SI;  """'^  -;'-\-i>i'='i.  a-d  .-hieh 

km.™ I, ,i„.  1  „„»„,,,„,,.,,,, ,,,„,,„,.  i, i, '„';i;,',;;',;i.';!!"' "i' "« ■"  ■•"' P^pie, 

U'l.:il  «ns  /„,,  „„„l,„.i :  "  Wl,'„  ">■'":  ll',,  ,'■';,  "  '"^'■"' '"  ""'"•"'  ]"ivil<-s,vl  l,;,„l,. 

'■■-:  ';;;,'-'s;r;i:i';is;':j  ™;;if  y;;  ^ii^t':;  "??"• »;'  r "'"•■<>■ 

'•""'i'l''nil(!  llovt    th-it  Iwvnmin      •!'  l"-''''^,  lie  could  not  h,.|,,  rciniiidincr  his 

'l-n,thanM     M:;,..;f  ^^J^^  ,1,   ".     ir,  J'V.V''''''^'^''^'  j'-"'  '-^  "''-'re  of 
H.  1.1=*  message  of  1830:  '  '^^^"'"^''    ^^'^  '"'•"•'^•■"  '<>  Mr-  Marey 

'■  '!";7  ^yUn   |,,-„|  it„„t,  „„,l,,r  ,1  (M.alract  in  ,      I        :,    ■'"""'.'■''■ 'I'l.-miti,...  ..f  sl.Tk  liavo  l4i,  sold 

::'  <  'I'"'"'  ''•"■I"''-'  »  'l«liv,.ry  of  ii.     The  re-.   IS  of    I  ,r      "".'■"  '""""  •;""'"'•  "'i''  l""-.-l..>.-'-l  .'v    W 

;■  ;;^;;;k,  :m,l  ,l,.  lo.s  „,„!  .^h,  a.;  M-.at:ri,  •'    J    ,n  ^;  '^;:?';  ;;'';^,,:'^^,''!'.l"^t-l  w,a!o„,  ,„„  ,|,,iVn-  -^ 

■    ll  H  u-„rs.  t!mn  wautTs  „|,o„  ,n'(l   ,  rv  on  i     Z,    .-'l  Pn.-I.nilar  sind;.  n„  a  s; wiii,-,!    m  ire 

v^ -:^'^u^^;';;."t,^;dia^::— ^^^^^ 

G..vprnor  Ararcy,  as  his  urodrr-pssor  tcH-  iviv     Tr --»  TT,,.    r        ir     --    t^. 


66 


O  SULLIVAN  ON  THE  JUDICIARY — HILL  ON  BETS. 


never  raised.  Mr.  John  Van  Burrn,  the  reader  will  have  perceived,  was  shown 
this  messafre  in  advjince,  and  used  it  to  speculate  in  the  stocks,  through  Hovt. 
JViay  not  oz/frrs  have  had  the  same  advantaye?  Mr.  Marcy  liad  heen  saved  t'n'm 
rum,  and  why  not  he  grateful  ?  Look  at  his  weak,  fcehlc  character,  and  say  if  the 
message  that  was  to  put  dollars  into  his  patron's  son's  purse,  "  charm  you  Yorkers,"' 
and  make  even  old  I\Ir  Lawrence  "run  like  the  cholera,"'  is  not  calculated  to 
rouse  suspicion,  when  taken  into  consideration  with  his  whole  official  conduct' 
"  Men  who  are  opposed  to  "  the  IJanking  sy.stem  of  N.  Y.  State,  says  Mr.  But- 
ler, or  Mr.  O'Sullivan,  in  the  number  of  the  Democratic  Bcview  already  quoted 
"  may,  indeed  he  elected  to  Congress,  or  to  a  State  Legislature,  but  seldc  m  with- 
"  out  a  severe  struggle  ;  and,  oJUr  liny  on  tlatid,  Ihiy  urr  (sjwscd  to  c/angirs  of 
"  corrvfilwn  as  great  as  any  the  iium/urs  of  the  British  VarlwmaU  mre  cjpostdto  vi 

^'^  the  , lays  of  ^,r  Robert  Wulpok In  the  courts  of  justice,  they  [the 

I  JJankiiig  interct-t]  have  perhaps,  a  more  decided  ascendency  than  in  the  legisja- 
"  tive  halls;  for  most  (f  the  prinripal  juilges  are  immhers  of  this  vrhihi'cd  ordrr 
11  AND  TlfE  GOVERNORS  OF  l\iAKY  STATES,  and  the  niunicipal  author^ 

ities  o(  many  of  the  principal  towns,  are  mere  instrmixnts  for  the  vromoiion  of 
"  their  pvriiosfs.''''  '' 

In  the  State  of  New  York,  privileged  Bankers,  Governors,  our  principal  judges 
and  iminicipal  authorities  have,  generally  speaking,  heen  the  creation  of  the  well 
organized  party  of  which  Mr.  Van  Buren  is  the  chief.  Is  not,  then,  this  party  or 
faction,  on  the  showing  of  its  own  public  organs,  dangerous  to  society? 

Governor  llill  of  New  Hampshire,  like  his  friend  Wright  at  Albany,  may  have 
denounced  belting  on  elections,  in  his  public  messages,  but  he  did  not  do  so  in 
his  private  ones.     For  example — 

[Franked,  Concord,  Oct.  18.—"  Isaac  Hill,  S.  U.  S."] 

Concord,  N.  H.  Oct.  15,  1832. 
My  dear  Sir— Yours  of  the  12th  was  last  evening  received.     TO  MEET  THE 
^l^4^1\'^A^'\";^.T^J'  V^^  OPPOSITION  I  ADVISE  MY  FRIENDS  THAT 
ANY  SUM  WILL  BE  SAFE  ON  THE  ELECTORAL  VOTE  OF  Pennsyl- 
vania  and  New  i  ork. 

In  this  State  we  are  so  strong,  that  should  every  other  desert  him,  we  maybe 
relied  on  as  giving  a  decisive  majoriiy  for  Andrew  Jackson.  Yet  the  Bank  is  scat- 
tering its  thousands  here  to  afl'ect  us.     I  am.  Sir,  respectfully, 

Your  friend  and  obedient  Serv"t  "      ISAAC  HILL 

Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.  N.  York. 


Governor  Hill  and  Mr.  Stephen  Allen  were  selected  by  Mr.  Van  Buren,  as  Receiv- 
ers  General  under  the  Sub  Treasury  Act,  Mr.  H.  being  then  President  of  a  chartered 
Bank,  and  also  a  Government  Contractor.  In  the  report  on  the  post  office  and  it« 
abuses,  Senator  Hill  and  partners,  appear  for  $  14,C€0  for  blanks,  rarer,  twine, 
&c.     Such  patronage  to  a^rre  press  could  ailord  a  bet  with  "  the  braggarts." 

Like  Hill,  ihe  Van  Burens,  and  Hoyt,  their  betting  brother  the  venerable 
Ihomas  Ritchie,  went  as  far  as  he  could  aflord  in  "the  sclf.sh  and  coriuptire 
practice  "     His  letter  we  have  not  room  for  now. 

I  think  that  Mr.  J.  Hoyt's  bets,  from  1831  to  1640,  must  have  exceeded  $  120- 
000,  calculating  from  the  evidence  before  me.  And  vet  he,  loo,  was  deeplv  in- 
terested in  preserving  "  the  inirity  of  onr  elections!"  "  Cash,  clothes,  boots  hats, 
dollars— on  week  days  and  Sundays.     There  was  no  end  to  it. 

John  C.  Cruger  to  Jesse  Hoyt.  Charleston,  Nov.  27,  1834. 
My  Dear  Sir— On  my  arrival  here  I  wrote  to  my  brother-in-law  Mr  Pell  re- 
questing him  to  pay  you  three  hundred  dollars  ICO  for  yourself  and  the  same  sum  for 
Mr.  Wilson.  1  send  this  letter  by  the  steam  packet  and  it  will  probably  he  in 
New  ^  ork  as  soon  as  that.  When  you  receive  the  $300,  please  pay  the  i:0  to 
Mr.  W  ilson  whose  bet  is  the  same  as  yours.  Although  the  result  of  this  ele.iim 
mu^t  be  very  agreeable  to  y(ui,  ]  cannot  congratulate  you,  for  1  trust  that  you 
will  look  upon  It  as  a  source  of  regret  before  many  years. 

rp.      ,  •    J    ,  .    J  =™  ''"'-V  y""^S'  JOHN  C.  CRUGER. 

Ihe  above  was  received  of  A.  Pell,  3  Dec.  1834.— .A.  Glover. 


"  A  genih 
Dollars,  that 
over  x\vi  vote 
can  liilate — p 
money  to  be 
to  l)c  [)aid  to 
depo-sited  by 

.Mr.  Hoyt  ( 
up  Jan'y  17, 

Mark  the  g 
of  Customs. 
hnce  on  this  o 
stocks. 

Two  Notes 
Dec.  27,  183 
21st  inst.,  a  I 
ssttled?" 

"  New  Yor 
late  firm,  I  fei 
unless  S"ttled 
Thus  stood 
he,  his  friend 
sioii  iS  to  ex;i 
great  fire  in  N 

Post  mark,  " 
New  York. 
My  Dear  H( 
I  have  Just  en 
confident  of  sin 
of  some  import  I 
hand  to  those  at 


Edward  Liv 
the  Southern  L 
1  will  take  half 
last  time,  and  t 
If  you  conssnt 
something  joyfu 

Mr.  J.  Van  I 

they  are  who  d 
best  be  made  in 

''.\notlisr  pohit  r 

bettmj  upnn  electio 

ele^iioii  ii^ielf.     The 

of  our  freemen,  and 

are  all  controlling. 

moil,  or  reidon,  or 

siiifrago.     He  mii.it  i 

secn.iilary  consirieral 

ealf  from  Kisa.  and  hi 

best  .ierve  Uieir  conn 

■'Tiie  3uj:;e.-illii,i,' 

!i  pu  llill I'lTecrlmln- 

"leut,  a.id  uiKin  coir 

111  fiJ  costs  of  the 

nnmh  alone,  would. 

wiiM  its  corrupt  and 

f'e^tive  franchi:".^ :  w 

aiiil  to  apply  It,  under 

mini  and  polili-al  a 

such," 


GOV'r  WRIGHT  ON  BETTING  ON  ELECTIONS. 


67 


,  was  shown 
rough  Hovt. 
saved  trutn 
nd  say  if  the 
)u  Yorkers, ■' 
•alculated  to 
ial  conduct! 
lys  Mr.  But- 
eady  quoted, 
seldc  m  vvith- 
>  dangirs  of 
cjposid  to  ui 
:c,  they  [the 
1  the  legisla- 
ihgcd  order, 
cipal  aulhor- 
promolion  of 

cipal  judges 

of  the  well 

this  party  or 

y,  may  have 
liot  do  so  in 


15,  1832. 

EET  THE 
DS  THAT 
)F  Pennsyi- 

,  we  maybe 
3ank  is  scat- 

C  HILL. 


,  as  Receiv- 
a  chartered 
ffice,  and  its 
aper,  twine, 
■garls." 
e  venerable 
1  coriuptirg 

ided  $  120,- 
s  deeply  in- 
boots,  hats, 


Mr.  Pell  re- 
mie  sum  for 
bahly  lie  in 
the'  i:0  to 
his  elei  ti(  n 
it  that  you 

RUGER- 


"  A  STRnilemrtn,  throujrh  Mr.  J.  Hoyt,  bet 


and  his  friends,  One  Thousand 


ii  11         .u  i  /■'  11  "i .,  ,^"}'-f  '""■ 111"  "IS  inenas,  une  1  housand 

Dollars,  that  General  Jackson  will  have  as  iar^e  a  m.jonty  at  the  e^suin-r  election 
over  th.  vote  opposed  to  him,  as  to  be  equal  to  the  total  n,te  given  to  any  om'osmi 

,.      ir         1  ...      ,      .  Iiicre  tollows  the  sin-natiires  1 

n^^Jf'Ii:^lS       •"'  "^''^  °"  ^"^  ^'^"'^'  P^y'^'^'^  ''  ^-^-'  wiuch  wrgiJen 

Mark  the  rrenteel  embarrassments  of  Mr.  VanBuren's  friend  and  future  Collector 
of  O.stoms.  It  ts  presumed  that  the  Vice  President's  convenient  endorsen^n  '1 
sSr         "''""""  "^  '^''  unfortunate  dealer  in  wagers,  politics  and  Jublfc 

Two  Notes-John  Warren,  Broker,  Wall  street,  to  Jesse  Hoyt.     "  New  York 
Dec    -27    1834.-Dear  Hoyt-You  will  find  by  the  inclosed  account,  made  U|.  to 
21st  jst.,  a  balance  due  us  of  S2997.^4  cts.     Will  you  do  us  the  fav'or  to  have  h 

"New  York,  Jan'y  12,  1833.-Sir-Not  havinjr  received  the  balance  due  our 
late  firm,  teel  mvselt  bouiul  by  the  re;,n.lations  of  our  Board  to  hand  in  your  name 
unless  s-ttled  by  lOi  o'clock,  to-morrow."  ^  "^ 

Thus  stood  the  successor  of  Swartwout  in  1835.     In  a  few  months  thereafter 
he,  h,s  friend  Butler,  and  their  comrade   W.  S.  Coe,  were  the  board  of  ( 'om S 

gSt  fir^m  N^Vr :  !  M  """^  ^"  ^'^""^  ^^'"'^^  ^"  '^""^^'  ^^^  °-  '^  ^1^ 


^NewYo^k'.'^'"^"''""''"     ^'-  ^-  L'""?«*o"t«  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Wall  street, 

IlS^W  ^n°^'~T*''rn  &«^hnectady  rail-road  passed  our  House  this  mimm.. 
I  have  just  enquire.1  of  De  Graff  his  opinion  of  its  fate  in  the  Senate-he  is  no 
confident  of  success,  but  thmks,  with  a  full  Senate,  it  may  pass.     As  This  isammTr 
of  son.,  unportanceto  yourself  I  ^oould  aJcse  that  'you  JJ  vp  and    end  a  SZ 
hand  to  those  already  engaged  m  carrying  it  through.  Yours,  ° 

C.  L.  L. 

Edward  Livingston  to  Jesse  Ployt,  Dec.  5,  1823.-"  I  should  like  a  ticket  in 
he  Sonhern  Lottery  that  ha«  a  $  100,000  Prize  in  its  wheels.     Now,  as  a  fj  or 
will  take  half  of  a  ticket  with  you,  if  you  will  purchase  one-but  recolleS  it  is  the 
as    .me,  and  that  If  should  draw  a  blank  I  will  not  venture  any  1^,.^  it 

iM;».  f  "r  /  J'™''"''''""  ''''  "''^  •'"^^  "'''■  """^b^"-'  ^nd  ^I'e.'i  I  shall  have 

somet/iing  joyful  in  antiapation.  ' 

Mr.  J.  Van  Buren's  secret  correspondence  shows  who  and  what  class  of  persons 
they  are  who  dare  and  brave  the  public  with  enormous  bets.  The  comment  had 
best  be  made  in  the  language  of  Governor  Wrighfs  last  annual  message,  as  follows  : 

X^VJv'f'    ;ffi'tlf-""','f'''nl'''''''T''r  ""■"  ""^'^'^"i""'^  "I."..  .I>e  free  and  pro'er  exer.  i-'nf -h^ 


68 


(-'I. JTING  .V  CM. — t;ui,0M':j,   vvi;nii. 


Winca  .•nniiiml   cilsc   ..„   h,  i,„in,   andAlr.  .).  \  :mi  J5(iirii,  u.s  Atlon.oy  Gfii 

criil,  ])r()scciiiiriir  lor  the  ,,(.|i|i||.  I  ^ 

in   ivn.rmlM,-  'i-h,  M,..  M    \:,„  iliurn   row.nlr.l  il,,.    F.nn.rs  niul  !\lcolKu.ipe' 

..Mk  o     AllKu.y,  and  Messrs.  Knowcr,  Olcolt,  ( '..niuiir  &('„.,  it„  ,„i,i.an,.rs,  «it|, 

!<■  CMsUMly  „1   some  nMllK.M.s  of  ,l„ll:,i.s  „ul  „r  i!„.  niilidniil  tivi.suiy.      Jlow  some  nf 

that  nu.uoy  was  use,    I  shall  liav.-  ...raMun  to  trll  in  annti,,  r  mihliralion. 

n  Mr.  .inhu  \an  JJ.uvn's  letfr  to  Mr.  Jloyt.  .latr.l  A„i,r.  -:!(!,  IHIUI,  he  affTOcs 
t..  iMM-umo  tin.  partner  o|  M.'ssrs.  J  i,.yi  a,„i  lM;„,ns  M.  Cntln.ur  tUv.  iauv.-r.tna 
sp..,-nh.t,on  ol   lar^rn  aun.nnl,  r..,|niri,,_.   a  hravy  a<Iva.„-c  of  fnn.ls,  on  condftion  thai 

t      l.-o.ts')    Innis  a  lar.r,,  mmu   to   tin;   I'nllon    Hank,  .\.  Y.,  .•omiitio,...,!  .hat  the 
1    i.o    pay  (,  p,.r  cent  an.l  hm^mvo  7  in.,,,  }foyi  .„,|  (;,„tu,ir.     Th-'V  uxt.  to  repay 
the  I  ul  o„  whenever  1,0  tol.l  ti,o  Albany  Jlank  to  ,!.  tnan.l  a  npav.nent  of  its  loan  ^ 
VVhatev.-r  nnyhl  he  the  iss„e  of  .sneh  a  partnership,  it,  is  .dear  that  Van  Hurm 

tl,e  son,*   an.)    Iloyi    Nvrr  par/nn ^^v   all    know   that   Mr.    Jloyt    was  a  hn.bn 

down  spe.M.lator-and  John  f  Van  [inren's  letter  of  Nov.  I  It!,,  IH.-Ui,  conveys  to  him 

t  e   aeknowh.,l^,u,.nts  o    lather  a.ni   son,  a,ul   hnls   ],„„   elee.ionee;   to   sJenro  h^ 

.M,i,,   as  president.      1  he  ,-eye,-sM.n  of  the  Cnsto.n  H.,ns,>.  a.s  a   reeo.npens...  lol- 

owed    m    dne   eonrse-and   althonul,   ,1,,,,   puJdn-   snilirrd    hy   lin'   operalion,  it  ,,s 

beheyed   thai  Fresulent  \  an  JJure,,  and  his  laniily  had  all  halanees  duly  paid  thu,,^ 

*^~*'*'**'  N..;w  YouK,  Fel.y.  10,  I8:n. 

'rw,.lv.  Tl     '''"'  V"n"i','  •"'"■'''';'";  '  l"'"""'^'=  >"  P"y  San,„el  (Hover,  i'l.xeento,-,  &c, 
luehe    I  iunisan.l   D.dlars.  will,  u,t..,est  at   the  ,-ate  of  live  per  cen     per  ann,  i„   „, 
seeu,-e.he    p;,y,.,ent  ot    whieh  I  pledge  tluve    lu.t.ircd  Uu.,x4  of  TradL^n.e.i's  liU 
^muv.iipi,.  J    j^jY-j, 

i."w.v,.r,  ,„";;h.  l,;,/,;' ;:^;;    "  v  "'•:;:  :::iw;::: ;'!:;;:  ^nnur, 'i^'^T  "iT-r'i'i-'j- '™". 
;;::';;',N;.;:;i':'.;^::/,:i;'":i;,;;;,,ri-.^'r;v''-''^^^ 

i.ni ,!,:;, ;;;',  -^.l' I  n!iK     .';;;:  :1r;:,;;;i:;'r;'''';''^'l /i"-  '""^  "■■'" ^"  ■■ ^ '■"'■<  'H-""..., 

ja>l;v,..U.,.a,,,.n,auv..H,apl;a,llv^!;\;:;:,;^,:^;;^:       'l^;^^^^^^^  i^ali... 

10  Ills  lalil,.  l,v  a    imi,.    ii,  |,is   liand  ui-i,i    ;V  „  i,        ,  i  ,  ^l'.  " '''■'' ^' Hlt:iialiiiv    liavm^  luvii  iiivi-m' 


•  l*'(d)y.  10 
(jf  'rra,l,!.s|iii;ii 
ami  „,y  note  i 
Tin;  ,Si,)ck  1  ( 

",■1.  15,    18 
sail,!  ,l,dlar.s. 
S  4000, 

'11,,;  .\ew  ] 

iiiir  privik'jres 

tlitin  t,j  erect 

pciidi'd  j)ayine 

Jii  May,  iMii-j, 

nil!  I)a„kru))t  J} 

tlii'ir  tn'asurnr- 

I'liiii'cni   in  the 

Ocluber  the    hi 

^  iH'li,  throu;r|| 

uiili  till!   l;a,iil: 

(lliit.  yot  h,dd 

v.  V.    they  h; 

.?  1(10,000  to  ,•» 

Iv  PL'iits  per  (1(1 

'■oinitrv  with  n, 

lifld  ei'  the   PI, 

!h,'ir  St:it,',  and 

IS.     'riie  Ohio 

tollnw  i„  duo  se 

-Mr.  JToyt  an, 

:M'|ii"ii-i',I  that  I 

>;-Jl»,()00of  Mil 

iviinoiids's   hro 

'ninpany's  allir 

liad  iriine  to  Ne\ 

Cliailcs  IJiitler  I 

III' til,'  .\ortli  All 

IkkI  lent .[.    I).  J 

mli,M-  $.1(l,.S88, 

<l"iii/,  was  pliiiifj 

>'lt^>fiSO,  with"i 

I'-'U'  r,iv,irit,'s   .fi ; 

Irid  I'xehaniTijd 

"llii-r  notes  iiavii 

'lie  (vli'iirated  F 

Ilii3  inaiKifr(!rs  ]  j 

liien;  has  been  f. 

Ill  .\"ove,iiber   18 

'ff'i'ald  not  lon;r  ; 

'I'lyi's  pen.     Its 

iiif'Miis  (M-  soiieito 

It  will  1)0  seen 

''""10  to  statu  Me 

''Mem  of  Mr.    II 

^,'.  may  he   true< 

Al^tyn,"\Vall  str 

"osten  and  Prov. 

'"  tlio  nine  itionth 

'l''(H)Ullt  but  Witii 

He  did  iiuicli  i 


Itcinicy  (Jfii 

il  .Mcoliiuiicg' 
iiaucrs,  witli 
How  some  of 
I. 

f>,  lie  agrees 
l:nv_V('r,  III  a 
'ondilioii  thin 
.Vlliaiiy  (was 
iiH'd  ilint  the 
en;  to  r(!]i:iy 

of    ilH  Idilll, 

Villi  I5uren, 
iis  a  broken 
iivoys  to  liiiii 
)  Hecure  his 
iii|)eii!5c,  Idl- 
'I'aiion,  it  IS 
y  [laid  iIilhi, 

10,  1831. 

\eeiitor,  &c. 
?r  aiimini,  in 
•nienV  iiniik 
.  IIOYT. 

ill'ly  I'ljiiil  Iv'iik 
Hcy  iiiliclr,  .Mr. 


till!    llill.S  ill  llli, 

I'  ilie  liili.s  uniic 
ilircly  ii'imniiit, 
111  were  ;it  n  ilis. 
!■  I'llii'l'  (irHlinli: 
■;■  <(M,i  ilisniiim, 

I  per  ciMil  stuck 
(1  (il'wiysaMKH) 

olilaiiK^ii  ill  ,'ii< 

II  .sinck  Will-Ill ;] 
mil  liir  a  u'Vimioi 


illii'i'.-j.  ■\Vlmi 
I'lii.  -Ah-.  Hi'Vis 
111  mine  :i'  New 
■i'«.  iVc,  in  Npiv 
l''all.v- ami  laiv 


iiiiiiiifi'  III'  [>i- 
illi.i  lirliiri— ami 
"(Il'i'iI  it  ill  ilif 
Ir  liailli'  I  llfiT 
li'  till-  null'  \\;h 
lol   ill  a  iii.-!.iii' 

t'|)riiiciv>,  |ii'rr?, 
a^i.-i|raii>  nt  ihi 
iti  |ii-mi'  Jiuli-r 
IT.-..  Aiiirrii'niij. 
I'liiint'i'liiinwiil! 
Ilii'  (.'nliiiii'l'sor 
I'l'NS,  ill  lirislnl 
'urk.    liaii"!.' 

rest  a  man  in  ' 

his  la|i|i'r;i!. 

I  caiiit?  his  ixiih 

II?  lU'lMI  ilivi!"' 

he  knew  JiiJi:' 
soculion  Wiisji 


ay.ms,  novT,  WAKcv  and  the  new  hope  bank.  69 

(Memor.  aunoxed  to  the  above  with  a  wafer  ) 

";■':  );''    »«;Jl  — Hee'd.  on  the  above  n..te     F   A    Triev'^  ,1      i   /"   !-'^*^'^'' 
Kind  d(dl:ir,s.  "'•   ^  ■  ^*  •  J-U^y  s  check  for  lour  thou- 

S  4000, 

SAMUEL  GLOM^m. 

i'"i"l"'l  I'iivnienl,  and  i„  lS2l  ...iirnVd     w  I  f>''Iauare.     I„  Ifeo,  „, 

in  May,  1«^5,  |.nnisi,;  s  w^^."   S"   ,       e  t^Z^^  "  "''"'""  !"  ''''^  ""^•^  ^"''ts- 

'•""'■'■I'll  111  Iho  Kvi!!!  iifr  I'o.st  and  oihnr  \\  ..  V  I  '*'^"^'-''  ^^p-  He  pulh-d  the 
"••'"'"•'•""■   I'Hbldehad  burst      Mark   SW^  '"•  ^^'^^  IH-JO,  but  ia 

ViH-k,  throunl,  bank  e.uporaiion  Inc.s  „o  u  ,    ,'  ""'  ""'''>',"'  '"'"■'''""^^  '"  ^^^ 

""I'  'I'"  l':i"<l.orts,)  K,!nneth  F  h  •  nd  ,e\-  V^^T  '"'t'  ','".":"'  '"  J^''''  ^'^""^•' 
<l'i".t,'ot  h.dd  of  the  dire.Mi.Vto  k  m  .n  ;^  I'-'-iffh  hall  the  bank  fur  ^^sl 
V.  V.    they  had    borrowed  hiV,  '  l     '■^,   H      'r'"'  ="'  -"'/^l-W  tho.e  t^ 

.?  100,000  to  *3()0,()()0  new  notes-si  „  ' '"'  "' "'«  'M'"«  «bein,  put  out 
le  eents  per  doHar-sold  '-t  .  <,h  t^^  r^K;"'!"'''  '"  ^''-^  "<"- at  G  to 
""iiMl'T  \vilb  notes  and  bonds    bl.w      ,    •        u  '  .        ^  ""'""  """''''  "'""''-■'1   »l'e 

"'■''I  '"'  ""■  '''""Hix,  «t.  Job,  &  '-in  "'p''"  'T''"'''  "^'", '"  Wilbur,  John  Dela- 
'l-ir  State,  and  it  wi.s  s.  ,;,,,,;  Wv  r'"^  i"''"''';  '''"""^  ""'  '''""''"'  ""'  of 
1.^.  The  Ohio  Lih,  an.l  Tr  us  '  il'  Ji^ '"  '  V'"'  "  '"  '■"'''*'"'  '^  ""^^'  ^  '"'^  "^ 
lollou-  in  duo  season  '""  "'^"-'^'  '""'  '""'l'"''-  earthquake  will 

^'l^^r!'^::;'^^^^^  '-=--  --vieted  in  ,8.0,  and  ,t 

^•-'0,(100  of  AlarkSpenvrNHvi,     ,,,'■""/''•  '^""'^'  ^^■•''''''  '"«!  ""me 

'•:'li'"M,ds-s   brotiier  k     e  s    '  d  j  '.r  "'',","  l'  ^r'''     ^^  ^^«'-  »«-'^^,  -Tndire 

''"'"pany's  alliiirs,  bv  whii^       piv,:     ^     f  ■'        '''"^t"  •'^'^"^''"^''t  <'*'  the    IJndrre 

iKul  ^rone  to  New  j'er«,.y  ,  .  borrow'  So  ,o'',:";^'"''"'-  ^^T^  ''''"'  '""  ^'""'-'^  ^'"^ 

ni:ulcs  IJutler  had  bor  owed  S(uh       re    LV'''?'''  '"'"'r  '''^  "Hl"rsors-tl,at 

"I  'Ik'  -\"rtb  American  'IVih   (',,,,1  r   "  '"■'"•'"'•-'''■'t  J"^''pl'   U-  Ueens 

IK..I  lent  J.    I).  iJen^    n      f  luie   "    "r;:;:i'' f"  f'n'"  ''  f  ■•-'- ^'-^re  also,  ar^d 

'Hi.^M-  $.^(i.mSf„rwhieh  lW,rsh-n-.';'uni      ,     .      e^^  '^  '  "•'  ""  ^''^ir  ^ote, 

'/»'/,  was   pledged,    with    nZl^u^vt^'     >^\V^^^  «'^ '/'«' 

•^  It^.fiSO,  with  liinev  ple,|o,.s_,h       in  sE  '^'   •^"''"  •^M""''^'''   ''^"'  'l'"rrowed 

l-'U'  favorites    .*  ;{:^J■V  ( l-aud  tb  ,  Vl      r        '  *■'  T*"'"^"'*'  '"  ^^''^^  ^''""v  liad  lent  a 
II         1  .  "•>-,. )n) — tiiKi  mat  tl  (1  dneetors  ot   i><'?si    :,,  ,t  i    i-        i 

''^'-1  '■xHian.r,,!   t|ie  notes  of  IKhts    1)  iSr     .,1       ^■'        '"•*;!'•«  "'«>'  went  out, 

'"l'"|- '""OS  haviuff  10,  l-j    and  I      mm  I  r         "",■'  '""^'■''''''  ""  '''''»»rul,  for 

'l>e  -•lebrated  Fi^h  an  I  Sp     ^e    ^^     "^     ,:;;;"  ' ,       '^'"/Ve   that   ifoyt  .inulo  cnit 

lien,  has  been  ffreat  iraniblinn-     ;  ll    >   -2l"'  '-^V  "'"'':'''>' ''^  ''^'""'^  in  which 

a  Xovember   1811  tt  w"        s,']    ,bh       1  'mw  ?"''''!>"'  """^^  >''^"-^  »»  ''^^'■•o- 

lierild  n,.t]on.r  since  fllleVil.ir.-''^^^^'^^^^^^^  ^'  "^' *^  columns  of  the  N    Y 

'I'-'s  pen.  it;'Sc!;"s'u  rt  ,1";  '"  ^"^^  "-i  7f"-'-  ;/-V".'-  ^'--'^i^^ 

^.irjMMs  or  soiiei,of.s--p,-rhaps  the  chief  one.  '  ^  '''*'"*  "'"'   *'•'-  '^  ""*^  "''  i'« 

' '^tent  of  Mr.  }[ov.,'.s  opera  "S  him'eli'  u"  "  '''v'^"  ri^"  '^'^"'^^  Co.  The 
.Ve.maybe  ffnessi^l,  whe,  [  So  h  iT^.U  '  ^^'''''''-  \'''^  f^uren,  f'ambreleiia, 
■  l^'yii.  Wall  sireet,\br  I  rlaem  J'  tiers'  ^M""  "'J^. ""«"""««-  Dykers  & 
H"^ton  and  Prov.,  and  Sar  t  ^Ra  1  lo,     s^o^^^^^^  ^I'V''  •^"''  ^^'••'^■'*""' 

'"  "'«  "i-io  months  endincr  i,    1  „    s       KiJ  "^  '" '^' '^""£^!'' 'l'"l  s.dd  on  speculaiion, 
--"at  but  wuh  one  ho,;;e  out  oPn^my        "  """'"""  "^    ^  '"'^'»»"-     '^^his  was  his 
He  did  much  of  C.  (".  Cambreien^;  business.     On  the    I3tb  Sept.    ,8:i:MI,at 


70 


STEPHEN  Allen's  tammany  hall  bank. 


scntleman  engaged  to  deliver  him  200  shares  of  Sarato<ra  and  Schenectady  Rail 
H(Kid  Slock  for  S  23,223.  Next  dny  he  (.rd:!refl  Mi-ssrs.  Warren  to  place  the  slm.'k 
ill  /us  name,  but  for  account  of  Mr.  Camhrcleng.  Mr.  C.  wiili  Mr.  U.  were  ainong 
his  winnjsi  suppDrtcrs  in  IH.id,  for  the  Custom  IL.use,  and  it  must  be  owned  that 
if  Buller  was  the  proper  successor  of  Price,  so  was  Hoyt  of  Swarlwout. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


Mr.  Stephen  Allen  secrr.tly  proposes  a  $500,000  Tammany  Hall  Dank.  John  T. 
Irving's  Oration.  Mr.  Butkr  troubled— had  to  nominate  Col.  Young.  Sam- 
uel Young,  from  181.5  to  IH.'JB.     Jfis  opinion  of '' the  Old  Republican  partif— 


Confessions  of  the  Eoening  Post. 


England  in  1773. 


Wc  have  quoted  the  opinions  of  Messrs.  Buller,  O'Sullivan,  Van  Buren  and 
other,  against  "  privih'ged  associations."  "A  paper-money  aristocracy,"  (says 
the  Demo.  Rev.  for  Dec.  1839,  p.  455)  "  has  not  a  sinj>le  redeeming  trait.  Sor- 
did ill  its  origin,  it  is  sordid  in  every  thiny."  "  How  should  a  petition  for  a  bani{ 
ciiartor  conehido?  "  said  one.  "  And  your  memorialists  will  ever  prey,"  was  tlie 
answer. 

The  following  letter  is  from  Mr.  Stephen  Allen,  Receiver  General  for  Mr.  Van 
Buren's sub-treasury,  "  a  hard-money  man,"  formerly  lottery  dealer.  Slate  Senator, 
Mayor  of  N.  Y.,  and  who  had  been  the  builder  of  his  own  fortunes.  To  his  honor 
be  It  recorded  that  he  rose  from  being  a  poor  sailor  boy  and  sailmaker,  by  industry, 
-rohity,  and  great  energy  and  perseverance,  to  a  high  place  in  the  public  esteem! 
low  far  he  deserves  his  character  of  a  hard  money  democrat,  the  following  secret 
letter  to  Mr.  Hoyt  will  lielp  to  discover  : 


K 


Post  m'd  "  Steam  Boat— 12ic.,"  and  addressed  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  N.  York. 

Mr  Stephen  Allen  to  Mr.  Hoyt. 

Albany,  Nov.  28,  1832. 

Dear  Sir— Nothing  is  more  true  than  the  observation  made  by  Mr.  Van  Buren  at 
the  Democratic  festival  ;  that  the  democratic  party,  in  a  great  measure,  owe  their 
present  and  previous  victories  to  Tammany  Hall,  the  place  of  concentrated  opinion 
and  action,  and  a  rallying  point  of  the  democracy  of  the  city,  or  words  to  that 
effect.  The-e  cannot  be  a  doubt  bui  that  the  building  of  that  Hall,  and  thus  far 
preserving  it  as  a  Parly  Eslablishnu  at ,  and  a  rallying  place  on  all  occasions  for  the 
Rejjublicans  of  the  City  and  suiTouiiding  Counties,  has  been  one  of  the  means  of 
our  tnumiilis. 

I  was  one  of  the  Committee  who  purchased  the  ground— made  the  contracts  for 
building — and  raised  the  money  to  pay  for  it. 

Tli(^  opprrations  of  that  Committee  ardious  and  responsible,  as  during  the  progress 
of  the  work  they  were  frequently  compelled  to  raise  considerable  sums  on  there- 
sponsr/bility  of  their  own  names.  The  whole  establishment  cost  about  $55,000; 
all  of  which  sum  v.as  subscribed  by  individuals  of  the  party  except  $  18,000  (if  I 
recollect  right),  and  for  which  last  sum  the  premises  are  now  under  mortgage. 

If ///(•  party  properly  cstiinaled  the  benefit  it  has  received  from  the  estabHshmeni, 
this  debt  would  have  been  cleared  off  by  subscription  long  since  ;  but  such  a  result, 
perhaps,  is  not  to  be  expected. 

A  thought  has  therefore  occurred  to  ime,  and  which  it  is  the  object  of  this  letter 
to  communicate  ;  whether  the  extincticm  of  this  debt  m.av  not  be  effected  by  obtain- 
ing the  CHARTER  OF  A  BANK,  by  the  name  of  THE  TAMMANY  BAKK. 

There  cannot  he  a  more  favourable  prriod  than  the  present  for  such  an  application. 

The  large  majority  we  have  in  both  Houses  and  the  good  feeling  evinced  by  the 
Country  towards  US  consequent  on  the  large  vote  given  by  the  City  to  the  dem- 
ocratic candidates,  together  with  the  important  object  of  relieving  Old  Tarnm^uiv 
from  its  embarrassments,  WITH  OTHER  CONSIDERATIONS,  I  should  pre 
sume  would  carry  the  bill  through  triumphantly. 

The  follow Liijf  plan  of  a  Bank,  I  think  would  efl'ect  the  object. 


The  capital 
LEA.ST. 

The  Societj 
the  Slock. 

The  Hank  t 
three  per  cent 

if  the  Banl 
THREE  Tils 
lonii,  which,  ii 

In  the  mi.'an 
three  or  four 
clear  gain  of  $ 
of  S  li».000,  a 

My  opinion  ■ 
Moiinpolirs  in 
WE  must  hare 
in  a  party  poin 
one  alluded  to. 

If  you  think 
men — and  if,  o 
necessary  that 
know  may  he  pii 
I  vish  it  to  Im 
hy  surli  an  insii 
01(1  Tammany 
You  will,  of 
deemed  inexpet 


Mr.  Allen  is  ( 
to  read  the  abov 
tastes,  of  dispoi 
with  the  real  fri 
the  millions  ma 
He  would  get   1 
Tanamany  Hall 
son's  second  ek 
must  not  be  kno 
at  variance  with 
capital,  and  "  tl 
the  slock,"  alil 
preserve  equal 
much  wealth  an 
gave  the  lie  to  tl 
ment,"  the  ciiiz 
to  carry  the  dece 
10  pay  it  off  out 
favored  few.  and 
Stephen  Allen,  i 
On  the  12th  di 
Court  of  Spain,  i 
lived,  as  he  won 
tioii  before  the  T 
It  commenced 
"  Brothers,  wt 
"hose  object  is 
glory." 

It  is  very  probi 
ihus  poured  foni 
bosom. 


A  $500,000  MONOPOLY  IN  TAMMANY  HALL. 


71 


mectady  Rail 

ace  the  sluck 

were  among 

3  owned  that 


ik.  John  T. 
oung.  &m. 
can  party'" ~ 

n  Buren  and 
racy,"  (says 
\  trait.  Sor- 
n  for  a  bank 
y,"  was  the 

for  Mr.  Van 
late  ksenator, 
To  his  honor 
by  industry, 
ablic  esteem. 
jwing  secret 


,,  N.  York, 


28,  1832. 

^an  Buren  at 
•e,  owe  their 
;Ued  opinion 
ords  to  liial 
and  thus  far 
sions  for  the 
he  means  of 

contracts  for 

the  progress 
as  on  the  re- 
It  $55,000; 
18,000  (if  I 
lortgage. 
itablishment, 
uch  a  result, 

f  this  letter 
id  by  obtain- 
S'Y  BAKK 
!  application. 
inced  by  the 

to  the  dem- 
:d  Tammiuiv 

should  pre 


DOLLARS     AT 


Jn  the  mean  tirn.!  the  stock  would  advance  in  value    and     If  ,»',/  nf  .i  . 

three  or  four  years,  would  probably  be  worth   ten   nl.r  cent -^bme  t         ,?"'  ' 

of  *  li).000,  a  lund  more  than  sufHcient  to  clear  olF  the  incumbrance    ^ 


Trri'!..a^^P''^^  ^°    ^^    ^I^'E    HUNDRED    THOUSAND 
LI'.A.T>  1 . 

thp'S'ock"''''^  "^  '^''"'"'"^  ''  ^'  PRIVJLIDGED  to  subscribe  for  $  100,000  of 

The  Hank  to  be  authorized  to  hand  the  amount  on  their  bond,  at  an  interest  of 
thre.'  per  cent  per  annum,  the  loan  to  be  for  three  or  four  years. 

H   the    Hank   (Uvules  six   per  cent  on  its  stuck    th<.  'shfnrT'v         u 
TllRKK  TIlOrSAXn  nor  T  a  iV<         »*>  siock,  tlic  feULlli, lY  would  receive 
luiii.j,    iiiu    SAINJJ  JJOLLAKh  annually,  ovrr  and  above  the  intercut  on  iHp 
loan,  which,  in  three  years,  would  amount  to  $9  000 

In  the  mean  time  the  stock  would  advances  value,' and,    ,/  sold  at  the  end  of 

a 

I  possession 

■ir        •  ,,■■;' —■■•.  .Aj  i.it;ai  iMi  uiu  incumorance 

My  opmwn  you  7,0  dovl,/  hnov  ,s  m  opjnmfiov  to  an  mnra^e  of'th,..  Fin.,! 
M,pnd..   rn  tr  Cty-bnt  //.■  LrgMitiIrr  WILL  ZrZZ^lAZoi^^^^^^^^^ 
WL  mvst  hav,   hm.  there  cannot  be  a  more  legitimate  object  to  So  effbCed    both 

Jf  you  think  well  of  the  matter,  I  wish  you  would  consult  some  of  our  leadinrr 
men-and  1  ,  on  due  consideration,  the  project  should  be  deemed  pro,  or   it  wfll  hf 
necessary   hat  a  notice  should  be   publis led  of  the  intention   o  ,,?!,,/    i 
ln,n,  may  he  published  u-Uhovt  the  name  of  thr  applicant  '  ^  ^  '       ^  ^  ^"^ 

Iv;sh  It  to  be  distinctly  understood  that  I  cannot  serve  in  any  of  the  ofike,  erected 

STEPHEN  ALLEN. 

Mr.  Allen  is  one  of  the  confederates  of  President  Van  Buren  nnri  ;♦  ;»  •  ■.  i 

to  read  the  above  letter  attentively  with..,,t  pe  ce  vina  tha  fhp;^  ,«  '^^possible 
tastes  of  disposition,  and  of  coiKfuct  M  .^  AlTen  wL.t  o  keen  un  nn"n  "'^  °^ 
with  the  real  friends  of  free,  elective  institutions  hm  to  itt  n  ^  ^  appearances 
the  millions  may  be  more  and  mo  I  t  efdo  n  ;S  the  aV  or^'''°"/  ^'^T 
He  would  get  his  friend  Hoyt  to  sound  th^  lla£'lt' Alba'yjn"  avof  TS  n'^ 
Tammany  Hal  into  a  partner  in  a  Tammany  Hall  Bank,  noa'  tha  General  j"ck^ 
son  s  second  election  was  sure,  and  the  party  stroncr  in  the  state-but  he  /a  ll.nC 
nnist  not  he  known  m  the  matter,  becau.se  he  had  an  :,u"vard  a  rpearance  to  keeo  ni 

capital,  anl  the  bociety  of  Tammany  to  he  priv  leffed  to  subscribe  $  100  Omm  If 
the  stock,"  although  the  hypocrite    well  knew  that  the   sodety  was  ins  i^nH  t 

to  carry  the  deception  further.     Tammany  Hal"  wed    i  18  0(7     H  ""  T" 

it  commenced  thus  : 

u lu?e'ohw7'.r '"'",''''■■  ^'''■''*''''^  to  celebrate  the  anniversary  of  an  institution 
uhos.  object  ,s  a  ««/,.«.  prosperity,  and  w!,„se  supreme  ambiucu  is  anMs 

It  is  very  probable  that  .Stephen    Al'^n -it  -nJ  :5-=-i„    i    i  nr     -     ■ 


72 


JUDGK  mVlNG  S  TAMMANY  ADDRKSS — COL.  YOUNG, 


'TH 


"Tli(^  iitily  evil  w(i  li.ivi!  to  apin-cliiMKl.  i.i  iIkiI  lliis  iinuipnTO  iiiMiiv  «(  wculth  from  f<irpi"n  smircc!)  ira- 
Krmliiilly  iliMurli  llic  ciiliivaMrH  m'  ili,.  sdil,  iVnm  Uim  piir-uils  cif  liiiHhaiiiliT,  hjhI   iiIuiil'i!  iIicim  inlii'  foreiVi' 

"F^'"':' ■*•     \\'<'  !"■'•  ■Ill  .lirriciillural   | plr.  and  iC  iiiiximiM  to  |ipr|ii'tiiiUL'  our  liiicrlicH,  iIk!  ciillivaliiiirui 

lliOHoil  iiMisl.  lie  our  iininar.v  aitibilioii.    'I'lir  ni tain  Swi«-i,  wliil<:  (li-vol"il  ui  tlnir  iitt-^toral  labours  on- 

jiiycd  ihd  iiuri'st  Ircnloin. 

As  yet,  our  po|iulalio)i.  wiil.dy  .-(Mttrn^il.  aoil  ilcvoti'il  lo  a'.'ricultiiral  cniiiloyitioiif;  iimst.  cwiter  all  tlii'ir 
Jiinasurcs  ru  rural  aiiil  cionii'sili-  niioyuicul-i.  liul  wliru  avidity  for  i'liu  nliall  havi'  drawn  lltriii  from  tlinr 
pmMclnl  haliilations:  wIumi  I  he  ,-citla.:c,  the  pli:m.di  and  tin:  fnin  .-liaM  lie  .■xchaoui  d  ll)r  tlm  luxurious  city 
and  till'  rr.iwdnl  man,  '/'/ii  ii  in'//  //ir  inn/;  a/' i/ijinin'lii  mrnl/i,  roiiiiiiniii  ;  wili'nlarv  and  sonlwrarvini' 
ayoi'ati(uis  will  succiTd  tliosi'  licalililul  (t>.cri-i,ji-j  wlnidi'i.'iv;'  riasiicitv  to  tlir  iniml  ami  vi"i.r  to  thti  Iraiiie 
lunmltnoiiManui-iciuiMits,  with  no  other  cliarm  than  their  iiovi'ltv.  will  .supplant  the  treiHpnlized  pleasums 
<d  home,  and  nnpair  that  domestu'  lelicity,  the  aL'-reeale  of  wliicli  foriu.s  the  sum  and  Mih.~ianee  (d'  natiuriil 

prospeniy.    Nor  wdl  tl vil  laid  here,    .1;;  iiinn/liiiili  iliiisl  fur  .ruin  ir'.'t  ui/iiii  l/ii  fi  irur  <,)' /iiilriolism  ■ 

,f(irri:tii  spirii/iilirm.s  in//  /,io'iiirr/(,nini,  n/iiif/iiiii  nis.  mid  llir  /iiiii/  fnnn  iniilir,  .-.■  of  iiili-nxl .  hi'  iiiiliiad 
In  i>i'liili:i-  fi'iitiiiiiiitu  iif/io.ifi/ili/.  III  II  liiiir  ir/iiii  i/x  iifliriinii.i  uliini/il  /n-  ),)».,/  /inn  'mill  lowii." 

"Till'  eye.-i  of  the  iialioiis  aie   upon  u.h,  aii\iou.-.|y  walciiiiii'  our  nioveinenls,'  and  iiirelv'  halanrin  '  im 

coiinnls.      I  he  Iriends  of  liuinan   liherty  hehold  us  with  fond  .Milicilndo.  not    nixed  wiili  fearful  appit. 

heiision,      1  h"y  trust  lo  our  iotellieeoee.  Iml  l/i'i/  fiiir  inn-  iiimiinin^  /iijiin/  niid  inn/l/i. 

The  perseriited  of  every  clime  ea-l  a  wishlnl  r^ve  lo  this  I I  ,u  proiniM'.  anil  hail  it  as  thn  oiilv  lerre.itrial 

haven  id  rest  to  liie'.s  weiry  imd  oppre.-.sed  soiMiinier,  l.iiieriv.  e\i„!  1  eveiv  oilier  lo,|..enie.it,  has  made  tlii.i 
her  last  aladm'.;  plaee,  and  can  o.il>  I;,'  driven  aw.iy  liv  the  perlidv  of  Iho.-eovei  whom  .she  i.nw  fXUMids  Iut 
losierin','  pinions. 

Oh  jivo  not  cansijof  evuhation  to  your  cnendes.  iliat  vour  siliiation  is  precarious;  let  not  voiir  frienils 
have  reason  to  iremhle  (or  your  .-.ifi'ty.  IJemeinh.r  the  eiiiins  of  po.-terilv  re-t  upon  voii :  thatasyi.ur 
lathers  have  laboured  lor  yon.  .so  y,ai  are  to  liw  and  labour  for  vour  children.  Tl-al  von  are  but  trustees  of 
tUe  riL'lits  you  posse.is,  wliile  the  ioherilanco  i.s  theirs." 

Siii'li  \v:i,s  l!u;  liiiiirnaoo,  and  siicli  wcfc  tin-  pi-inciiilrs  of  Tamrnaiiy  Kail  in  1810, 
May  iht-y  ciKliirc  lor  (-vcr  !— :\I:iy  the  lovely  cliildrrii  of  fro.  .  favoviMl,  yoiuiai 
^nlhiiii  and  oliirioiis  Anici-ica,  i-hcnt^li  siicli  isL'iuiinciit.s  as  Judirc  ]rviii;^r  then  then' 
pfoninloaKal,  io  ilie  very  latest,  jioyii-rily.  .Little  did  yon  imauiiu;,  Stephen  Allen, 
when  your  yontlii'iil  hosoni  heat  in  holy  iniison  with  tlie.  generous  feelings  of  the 
gifted  hrother  of  \Va.shiiigton  IrviiiQ:,  that  the,  hlaek  night  would  arrive  in  which 
yon  would  join  the  perfidious  hand,  who  fostered  hy  the  Liherty  vour  fathers  nohlv 
gtiined,  are  struguling  to  rivet  on  the  freemairs  arm  the  ignolde  chain  ot'  sordill 
u.siirv  I    l^lush,  .Siephen  —  ri  ad  your  sceret  letter,  and  hliish  for  ^-iiaiiie  ! 

j\lr.  Alleirs  secret  letter  lo  Mr.  lloyt  was  written  against  the  clearest  convietians 
of  his  own  iinnd.  Age  had  increased,  and  avarice  cotitrolled.  The  oTcat  De  Witt 
Clinton,  in  his  Tiiessage  of  181!).  to  the  Lerrislatiire  of  N.  Y.,  solemnly  warned  his 
countrymen  of  thr;  dangers  attending  the  wretched  hanlung  syslein,  which  had 
ohtamed  in  the  Union.  J\lr.  Allen  was  chairman  of  a  joint  commillee  of  the  Senate 
and  Asseinhly,  to  reply  to  this  message,  which  reply  states,  that  there  were  tno 
many  hanks — that  firniers  and  mech;iiiies  had  heen  allured  to  horrow,  and  had  fallen 
a  saerilice  to  the  hniiker's  avarice — that  the  iinnio(l(>ratP  extension  of  haidis  had  pro- 
duced a-  hanishnient  of  metallic  money — loss  of  commercial  conlidence — the  exhibi- 
tion of  fictitituis  capital — the  increase  of  civil  in-(isecnlions — multiplication  of  crimes 
— the  injurious  enhancement  of  ])ric(>s — and  the  dangerous  extensitui  of  credit.' 
With  hanks  increased  liv(>  tidd.  if  not  ten  fold  since  181!),  did  Mr.  Allen  expect  to 
nuMid  matters  hy  turning  Tanmiany  Hall  into  an  Usurer's  den  ! 

Von  Muller,  speaking  of  a  c(>mmercial  metropolis,  (ancient  Carthacc.)  in  his 
Universal  History,  slates,  that  "  when  the  pnhlicr  morals  hecaiue  ctuTupted  hy 
weiilih,  the  state  suHered  at,  the  same  time  the  evils  of  oligarchy  ;i,id  of  ochlocracy. 
Every  thing  was  venal  '.  thr  party  /imkrs  Ihovahl  onh/  of  //iivisr'ris,  tind  the  com- 
monwealth was  neglected."'  What  remedy  would  Mr.' Allen  prcscrihe  in  such  ii 
case,  think  ye  ?    A  'I'ammnny  Hank  I  ! 

Mr.  Van  "iJnrcn  has  associates  whom  he  likes.  One  of  these  is  Stephen  Allen. 
lie  has  others  whom  he  does  not  like.     One  of  these  is  Coloiud  Yonuf. 


[Post  mark,  New  York.  April  15.] 

Albany,  April  13,  1821. 
L)k.vr  Hovt — Politloal  allairs  stand  well.     T/ir  nominalion  of  Yovm:  has  drfratd 
(If  plans  of  lite  opposition;  and  though  I  iliil  irhat  I  nmh/ TO  PlM-U'EiNT*  ITS 

*C  iloiii?!  Yoiin'.',  lik?  Senator  AUnii.  nw"?  his  rise  to  liis  own  ability,  cimriv.  indii.stry,  laloat  and  per- 
.sf!vprauce.  His  forelathers,  like  tl\osp  of  i\Tirhael  HolViiiau.  worn  ffom  Irelaiid.  The  closi' of  the  warof 
|s|'2.  (oimd  t'llonel  ViiuiiL'.  in  the  very  prime  of  life,  al  the  head  of  the  House  of  Assembly  of  the  Slaleof 
Aew  \ork.  as  their  Speaker— and  when  tlioir  session  ohised  on  the  I'.llhof  April.  IS]."),  the  exxellenl  adclre,<,< 
ol  ihe  republican  incmliers  ui  tiieir  e;c,-to;-s,  is  ,~ijned  at  the  top  of  llie  firsl  tolunui  hy  Samuel  Y'liuni;.  wiio 
wrote  11,  anil  near  the  bottom  of  the  last  by  IMarliu  Van  Huron. 

Ft  Is  also  siiined  by  Nailianiel  PilcheV.  O'iden  Edwards,  F,  A,  Bloodcood.  W.  C,  Bourk,  Eraslua  Knot, 
Viithan  S.mfoid,  Jidin  Wells,  and  many  other  eminent  men-  -and  it  thus  concludes  : 


NECESSITY 

that  could  be  do 
l\vi)-tliirds  of  I 
dcntial  qncstio 
matters  go  as  i 
next  session, 
branches.     Rel 


■■  The  nian  who  li 
.iroiiiiil  her :  who  h: 
whii  ha.1  ilirowu  Im 
anil  to  parlii'iputc  h 

III  \-i'M,  Mr.  Bull 
didite  for  ollice.  an 
prniioiiuced   in  the 
*PPEI.,VTION  mPH  /ill 
SE.VTI.Mli.VTS  Il/I0>l  Ii 

iroidil,  /irf'iiiriil^  a 

Till!  Colonel  Youn 
Ciiliiiiel  Voiina:  (if  IS- 
threw  up  his  .seat  in 
scnil  liack  to  their  ci 
frauds— and  jn  ih,.  f,, 
ihi-  ^illlplicity  of  tho 
piliziiii'  the  rishta  of 
'Mrru|jiio,i."  i'laiii  I 
Hiiyts.  Barkers.  Bcin 
bijltiriiisf/vr-s  in  tlii.s 

It  i.s  evident  that  tl 
(jOO  members  of  the 
i'alo.j  fur  Governor  in 
H'ri^'ht  (now  Governi 
party  all  supported  Y. 
Youn?  was  noininatei 
charter  .system-— anil  a 
and  Atla.s  play  the  fav 
ofwliom  the  Colonel  i 

A  party  in  New  Yi 
Heilerliued,  but  reiini 
i'lbliy  and  a  few  men 
triumphal  car  ofaRoi 

'■  Tammany  Hall," 
iiMniipiilists,  and  corn 
ii.iniiins,  comprise  a  Ij 
country.  They  have  i 
paling  in  the  legalized 
"fa  secret  society,  hir 
the  General  and  .Voiniii 

If  llii-i  is  the  truth  i 
m  the  State,  for  the  Co 
the  A'rf  ninu-  Post  tliu; 
delegations  are  a  series 

"It  is  a  fact,  admltte 
corrupt  to  the  core.  O 
nature  are  o[ienly  and  u 
subserve  the  inlerest.s  o 
ivho  dares  expose  theit 
Iraiid.s,  (ir  propose  iiieas 
people." 

Our  next  chapter  will 
"n,  "  like  a  greedy  pac 
>vilh  the  Custom  l^ouse 

This  note  clo.ses  witl 
"alpnle,  Earl  of  Orfori 
and  plunged  into  acarec 
diiyn  her  people  to  pove 
ihoir  ijuoble  seryitiide,  I 
e.vauiple  ? 

"  They  s.ay //jp  Bank  i 
ireme.  Yea,  verily,  ilie 
n  drained,  and  ha.snola 
and  sunk  their  inannfict 
"i-allh,  filled  hy  nabobs 
6v  hnrw-r-aces  !  .K  gam 
allies ;  the  over-grown  all 


10 


it'n  sonrcc!!,  may 
ii'iM  inlii  foreiirri 
Ik!  ciiliivuiiiiirui 
lonil  laliiiiii's  on- 

1  ciuiter  all  ihi'ir 
llii'iM  fn.ni  ihfir 
II!  Ilixiiriniis  oily 
III  s'liilwiMrjiiii; 
:''ir  111  llui  lii'iiiic. 
nllizt'il  iili'iisiim 
.iiii-i.'  (if  iiaiidtnl 
(•  at'  iKitriolisin: 
'■ri'sl.  Ill'  iiitliiciil 
(nifU . " 

V  liiiliiiiriil,'  (iiif 
li  I'l'urfiil  appii:- 

[)  only  temisli'ial 
il.  liuH  iniiile  tliii 

l.lUV  I'Xtl'Ulls  llIT 

Mill  yoiii-  liicnih 
lit :  tli;it  ns  your 
i;  lull  irilslocsiif 


Tnll  ill  1810. 
iri.'d,  ydiuiii, 
L(  tlieii  tlieit! 
'plii'ii  Allen, 
•linjjy  of  tlie 
vo  ill  which 
I'atliers  iidhlv 
liii  ot'  sonliil 

t  poiivictidiis 
■cat  Du  Witt 
^  warned  his 
,  which  had 
it'tho  Senate 
re  wi're  too 
III!  hail  lalleii 
iilis  had  pni- 
— theexhilii- 
on  of  crimes 
1  of  credit/ 
en  expect  to 

ace.)  in  his 
'(irrupled  hy 
'  (ichlocracv. 
id  the  coiii- 
e  in   such  a 

I)lien  Allen. 


13,  1824. 

//o.s  drfralrd 
KNT*  ITS 

laloat  ami  piT- 

<!'  Ilf    till'  WlUlf 

iif  ilir  Sl.iliMif 
icellciit  nililiv~i 
lel  Yiiiiuf;,  »iiii 

;,  Eraslua  Kni-i. 


•  THE  CATO  OF  THE  SENATE  '—DEMOCRATIC  NOMINATIONS.  73 

.w,Mhirds  of  both  Ilouscs-anS    hough    t     ocs  not  sn"eakT,w^''r  T^'  '^''' 
dcntial  question,   I  think   its  tendencv    -^n      nJ       speakjArcrf/y  of  the  presi- 

»i.eis  J.,  i„  w«  expec,  „rSl.?a  feTajX^'L^rT-rSt.-  ,h'/ 

next  session.     Indeed   it    s  very  ccrt'iin  ihnt    ho   hic^  j      '"'^'^^'O™  at  the 

brunches.     Rely  upon  u  ever/tJing  will  go telJ.  '"""'""^  "  ""^^^^^  '^  ^"'*^ 

__  Yours  truly,  jj    P    BUTLER. 

■  Th"  man  Willi  has  aliaiidiiMcil  tlip  Htaiiiiii-ii ,, CI.;  ,  .... 

^^"'"1  1-r :  ^ -  nioikeil  at  I^Im^S?':    I  rr'lvIT—,'  "  ^l":^^     "'  ^^^''^y  r^"  ""'^'^^"i"? 

ivliii  has  Ihrmvu  I,,-,  wcii;lil  n.n,  i|,o  kil.aiici.  a.  a   w   1  ir   liv  '      "   V^'V"  "'«'l«"l  ""'1  vindictive  foe] 

and  10  |,a«„apate  l,or  l„i,„„.  |,.  u,„  ..ol'lei,  4"-  I'rpro ieritV''        "  '"  ""  """"'''"'•  "•" ''«''  f"^""' 

prmiounr-il   i„  tho  U.   S.  Senati,  hi."  il^Vrniu^t^VTo^^^r'''''  '"  ""^■''  "'/•  ^■""  1^"^'="  'hus 
APPEI.ATION  mPH  /„n-p  l„rrlnf,„T  hvn,  n,IM      Tfr^r,,,,  ,,„,,■     !'*'^'^/'»'"ATEniAL  Inj  ,tlu,t  political 

f-au.l.--a,„l  in  the  fall  of  il„,  ,ainc  y oar  I  e  s  I  _■'  V\V ' hiip  ,  i  f,  . /  ,'=""^'/-"'^  "'  e""rinous  .slock-jobhing 

|>,liz.n2  Ihi.  n^hts  of  iho  many,  and  h'-i.^lalion  tm  si  e-in  m    l U  '    ni .,.,    ^        ^''^  *^^'\''  ''^  K^'I'i'iHy  mono. 

cnrru|ji ."    I'lain  lanuiia-e  ihi.s  '-Inii  nm  •  u    ii  ,1         li  •^"'V'"  "J  Imrgain  anil  sale,  of  venality  and 

Hoyts.  Barkers.  IkMnioits,  ami  C«idi,  ■'  li  s   whe     U  m^^^^  that  of  the  Aliens,  Bmler.,  Van  B™ 

b,jth,„..,n-rs  in  this  volume  !     """"-'""*'■  '^1'"''  l"^'""'!  H"'  «''ene,s.     \\  it„e.ss  their  sentiments  recorded 

(.5;  nf  ;;?;:^,n^';:i.^v':\!J:;i:ii/r:^rTw;r:;^  --y  --p-t.  The  caucus 

ialo,  fur  Uoveriior  in  profen.'ni-o  to  \oi  n-  wh.  1^111  Tiimm^l'.v.  "^  ■-'"  "''-'■'"'  ^"  ""■-"  ^^  ""lection  of 
H-ri.hl  (now  Governor)  also  s,,oke  ^.^YZ^l^af^TT^  asdnPp"  '"'•''"'"'  '"'Pl'-"-'''We  enemy." 
party  all  supported  Yales,"  .«ays  the  Patriot  1"  In  l  n,,  I'l  fli  ''"'  \J  Livmj.ston.  ••  The  Van  Buren 
Voun?  was  nominated,  l.nt  ma  ele  tod      H e  /  I    ws  Ur     t^R  \\  ^''-   .'^''"y  •="""""'  ''^  ^"'^^ 

charler,sysien>--an,latl<yraci,se.ls.t^andBa   i    n^^^^^ 

and  Alla.s  |,lay  the  favorite  tune.s  of  the  narlv-S  or.n^^^  ^  "gel really  for  '  areuloration.'  The  Argus 

of  whom  the  Colonel  is  an  Atlas  man  *  '  -suitable  variations  for  its  clas.s  nf  believers, 

HfJlSlu^iiri.^'^Iii^iu^a'iS.^:;;;"  i^rthl^  !^:^:^^!^'  IT'^"  "^  ^'r-  ^n^idate  n,r  Governor. 
Inbliy  and  a  few  mercenary  presses,  ian  HI  e  more  plu  S'fror^  IZ^^T''  '^"^  '"='*"''  '^^  ^  <"i«iplined 
inuiiiphalcarofaKomanUe'ieral."  "^  ''^"'"  '''®  ""'""■"  '•>'■'"  ever  surrounded  the 

palingln  the  logalize'd'rpoiU  o  Tv^ex  "  .Zmo™  y'  "^1^^"^^' -'T  r^'"' "^ '^'^  "-"  ""  P^'>i'^  • 
f  a  secret  society,  hiivnl  presses,  thislaves  of  fflce'  ancj  the  ■  knitn  fsnt: "'r'"",'''  ''"''  ""^  ''«^''<'«nce 
theGeneral  and  .Vominainig  Committees  to  proinott^ihe  ohjects^.f  rstomcv-  ''    '  """^^  C'^-cu^and  pack 

".  U^tll'tr  ^,SiZ^'^]^';%|:^t!«V^/'i;?;'^"i,^  TT^'  T''^^  "-  "•-'•  ^"-t  men 


...^  *^.,.,,,„^  .,  ua,    „„|3  iriiiiKly  coillu: 

Jelesations  are  a  series  of  base  frauds  : 


nature  are  o,ieiily  and  unblnshinaly  practiced  irsec,?re  do  e  'oof  ^^^  ?h»  '^y-"?."'-  ^  ^ufls  of  the  basest 
snbserve  the  interests  of  a  few  corru   t  poCia  ,s-  . to   h  committees,  who  will 

vlio  dares  e.vposo  their  prolli^acv  lie  nrofli"ai  v  ,  f  ihn.„  J  '  \P- '^  ",'  ''"""'l^.  set  upon  anv  man 
frauds,  „r  pro  ,030  measures  of >efon  by  wl  id/tl  e  loinhia^ hmrm-, v  I"'  f'^'^'i""  > '"  '^'^'"  ^''»'"^>"S 
people."  "'   ™'"^"  t""  uominations  may  be  brought  directly  home  to  the 

Jj>vn  her  people  to  poverty  iiTthe  s  it^   f  vvSi         T, T'""'  '!'"'  ",'T'  ^^.'^  '"''^""■^  "^  "'''id'  have  chainei 
:J-;-ohleservit.^e,  huf^lltlllS^t^l^i^l^I^t!^- Sr;;^^/'^^^^ 

'^  ramed,  and  has  not  a  shilling     n"eVXslnolth%^^  '  ""='  '"r'"'"y  '"  "  "''*'^"'-    ri-eland 

»"J  sunk  their  n,annfactn,r  Ir  linv  ™fer  el, ,      "  (vii5"f*F''"f  ■^''""''  'hem  almost  as  low, 

ea  th,  filled  by  nabobs  and  emptied  by  inaccaronis  ■    A  ^nate  so  d  fnifn"''  ""h'i'  a^  ='""  "^  ''""»" 
In  hnrsAMrnQ  I     A  ___,■.._     ,->i;       "'   """-^-."101113.     A  oonaie,  solcl.  Bud  despi.sfid  '     4  roup'r"  ovo-r-in 

the^ergr^™  :;;^w^:^'ir^|!-'  ^"'""^  '"'"^'■'' ""''°"'  p""^^'««>  genit:s,"cf^t:i^r:':;; 

10 


bv 
aliiea 


74      Jefferson's  theory,  vs.  hoyt,  Lawrence  &  cos  practice. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Jefferson  on  govrriunrnt  infcrfirenns  at  elections.  Swarttcovt,  Lawrence,  Price, 
Allen,  find  Wrtmorc's  jiraclkv.  Jn.'^pector  (Jgd.vry,  Van  Ihinn  rcconirntnds 
General  Spicer  of  Itiv  "  //.  iS.  Lombard'''  for  office.  Shetch  of  Prosper  M.  Wtt- 
more.  Alderman  Pur-ly's  petition,  and  Qunr/ienlio.is's  counlir-pttition.  Acthe 
Politician's  pay  office.  Custom  House.  Proscription  for  opinion.  Nciv  Tam 
from  St.  Tammany.  Butler  cnragul  at  Clinton's  exposure  of  the  "  organized 
corps."     Col.  Decatur.     John  MacGee's  vay  to  Office. 

Mr.  Butler  has  the  word  of  Gdd  constantly  in  his  month.  JIow  far  he  seeks 
to  square  his  conduct  by  his  favorite  standard  let  this  memoir  show.  Mr,  Van 
Buren  professes  a  devoted  aitachinent  to  the  principles  of  JelFt  rson  and  the  civil 
revolution  of  1800.  Is  it  for  the  imiifjination  of  man  to  conceive  any  course  of 
conduct  more  at  variance  with  the  doctrines  of  the  sage  of  Moniicelio  than  the 
practice  of  ihe  tenant  of  Lindenwald '! 

Let  us  compare  Tammany  Hall  practice  with  the  following  extract  from  a  letter- 
Thomas  Jefferson  to  Governor  McKean,  a  signer  of  tlie  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence— dated   VVasliington,  February  2d,  1601. 


"  Till  this  [the  Election  of  President]  is  known,  it  is  too  soon  for  me  to  say  what 
"  shouUI  be  done  in  such  atrocious  cases  as  tliose  you  mention,  of  federal  officers 
"  obstructing  the  operation  of  the  State  governments.  One  thintr  I  will  say,  that 
"as  to  the  future,  INTFIRFERKNCES  AT  ELKCTIONS.  WHETHER  OF 
"TMF,  STA'I'E  OR  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT,  BY  OFFICERS  OF  THE 
"LATTFR.  SHOFLD  BE  DEEMED  CAI'SE  OF  REMOVAL;  BECAUSE 
"THE  CONSTITUTIONAL  KEMEUY  BY  THE  ELECTIVE  PHINClPLE 
"BECOMES  NOTHING  IF  IT  MAY  BE  SMOTHERED  BY  THE  ENOR- 
"  MUUS  PATRONAGE  OF  THE  GENERAL  GOVERNMENT." 

Immediately  after  the  fall  election  of  1834,  Messrs.  Cornelius  W.  Lawrence, 
Wm.  M.  Price,  Stephen  Allen,  J.  R.  Whiting,  R.  Riker,  Daniel  Jackson,  Gid'n 
Osirander,  Gideon  Lee,  and  W.  P.  Hallett  addressed  a  letter  to  their  friend  Samuel 
Swarlwout,  requesting  that  F.  Ogsbury  might  be  appointed  an  Inspector,  as  follows; 

"  New  York,  22d  Nov.,  1834.— Mr.  Ogsbury  is  an  old  inhabitant  of  this  city- 
"  a  firm  supporter  of  the  administration— and  IN  THE  LATE  ELECTION 
"  WAS  ACTIVE  AND  INFLUENTIAL." 

Mr-  Jefferson  believed  that  interference  at  elections  by  officers  was  criminal — the 
Jeffersonians  above  named  held  out  $  1100  a  year,  and  a  sinecure,  as  the  bribe  for 
beiuL''  aciive  and  influential  at  elections.  The  reward  to  follow  close  upon  the  service. 
If  office  is  to  he  the  immediate  reward  of  active  electioneering — if  500  jildces,  at 
from  500  to  35,000  dollars  a  year  income,  are  the  fair  recompense  of  struggles  at 
the  polls,  the  victors  to  have  the  sjjoils,  is  not  the  elective  principle  "  smothered 
by  the  enormous  patronage  of  the  general  government?"  and  will  not  violence, 
bully  clubs,  bribing  presses,  lying  tongues,  and  all  the  evils  attending  wholesale 
corriipti(m  be  among  the  resulis?  Why  did  Morris  and  Varian  invade  Pierce's 
sanctuary  at  12  P.  M.  on  a  pretended  mission  of  purity  of  election,  if  500  prizes 
are  ready  to  reward  the  men  who  can  gain  a  victory,  no  matter  by  what  means! 
The  merchants  require  himest,  indifferent,  capable  officers  about  the  Customs. 
Are  Messrs.  Allen  and  Lawrence  more  partial  to  active,  influential,  one-sidd 
partisans?  If  so,  and  they  can  continue  their  system,  the  fair  outside  of  our 
goodly  republican  tree  will  soon  exhibit  incurable  rottenness  at  heart. 

Twelve  thousand  dollars  have  already  rewarded,  in  part,  Mr.  Ogsbury's  "  influ- 
ential" labors  of  1834.  His  services  now  are  so  easy  that  thousands  would  gladly 
perform  them  well  for  a  sixth  of  hi.s  income. 

Mr.  Ogsbury,  though  he  did  not  pro.<per  as  an  Importer,  was  fortunate  in  being 
the  falher-iii-iaw  of  Geiit^rai  Prosper  M.  VVetinore,  usually  known  as  SwartwouU- ~ 
t'  great  gun."    General  Prosper  wrote  the  collector  earnestly  urging  the  appoint- 


ment of  his 

Siiiccr  had  bai 

General  Sp 

begi;ar.i.     He 

b'fore  that  ge 

been  tendered 

(.Svv.'s)   depu 

"  that   iny   /?»< 

confidence  reft 

Stife  for  the  c 

/  am  AUTHt 

Oini'vekng  fc 

adding  the  nan 

me  of  their  dis 

The  friend  ( 

Guiieral  got  Ci 

patrons  found  t 

♦  Of  his  '■  inerca: 
.V'lv  Vork  ill  l-i^m-, 
sale  jwiiiJIi.ii;  in  it, 
Ilici  Vicii  Preaiilom 
diclc'd  by  a  N.  V.  G 
evidence— ami  U,  b' 
Ynrlt.  one  of  ihe  mi 
will  pid>(  musier  in 
E.vlract  of  a  loHet 
b.iiiy,  Jan  8,  1^31. 
Wetmnre's  conned 
compelled  him  to  re: 

10 becaiLie  thej 

a  111  as  the  great  sui 

Quarter  IVIa^ler  Geni 

the  2Ah  re»'i  of  art 

seaeralahip  or  other 

paiiy.    Nothing  con 

years.    The  Naulilu 

membrane  for  a  sail, 

and  the  alorni  ri.sin 

weaihjr.    This  is  no 

General  Prosper  pr 

my.  The  General,  i 

Assembly.  If  jmt  |„|,r 

me.jtiii^',"  in  that  w; 

iiiilaivl'ul  piiwer  when 

ter,  or  vote  for  a  new 

and  destriiclive  of  the 

The  te-iiimony  of  V 

Fads,  Readc.  &c.,  at 

in?  Post,  shows  that 

P ilk  may  find  the  Bu 

Tlie  native  honesty  ai 

The  Hudson  [nsnra 

fentson  the  dollar  thi 

Albany  charter  cost  t 

with  Barker,  and  Tho 

dent.    In  a  few  monti 

aiiMiint  of,  say  #2j0,n 

aii'ilhere.xira.infaniou 

iile.it,  and  the  aciive  i 

sjick  each,  payinir  in 

The  Legislature  had  ai 

lie,  the  fllayor  and  Rei 

altend,    Hyatt,   the  p 

imd.m]  was  all  paid 

Kfiowing  this  state  oft 

actually  represented  tl 

check,  with  the  others 

tradesmen's  Bank   wl 

(-'" ,  which  lent  it  chiel 

liJil  been  pntfed  up  to  1 

P''ifils,  of  course,  thou; 

nym'a  trial  that  he  wi 

'ion  to  iis  concerns,  an- 

31(1  Van  Buren  .-im  ^i-or 

i-om'iard  Co  could  now 

fiispoctins  people— the 

set  10  raise  cash  upon, 

dead  loss.    Hyatt  had  b 


:TICE. 


irence,  Price, 
I  rcconiTMnds 
iper  M.  W'tt- 
lion.  Actiu 
A««  Ta.ru 
'.  "  organized 


far  he  seeks 
V.  Mr.  Van 
and  the  civil 
my  course  of 
elio  than  the 

om  a  letter- 
lion  of  Inde- 


B  to  say  what 
jcleral  officers 
will  say,  that 
ETHER  (IF 
tS  OF  THE 
BECAUSE 
^HINCIPLE 
"HE  ENOR- 


'.  Lawrence, 
ckson,  Gid'n 
riend  Samuel 
r,  as  follows: 

if  this  city— 
ELECTION 


;riminal — tiie 
the  bribe  for 
n  the  service. 
UO  jildces,  at 
struggles  at 
"  smothered 
not  violence, 
ig  wholesale 
ade  Pierce's 
if  500  prizes 
vhat  means! 
he  Customs, 
ial,  one-sM 
Litside  of  our 

ary's  "  influ- 
would  gladly 

nate  in  being 
Swartwouts 
the  appoint- 


PROSPER  M.  WETMORE  AND  THE  V.   S.  LOMBARD.  fB 

General  S,,ice  wrrk.!,,  nffinp  hn".'  ""''/"^ '«''.'»  ^"^^'P"  ■"  Offshury's  fav„r. 
be-'ar...  Ho  vvrm^  tn  mV  '''"'"  •'""'^'■'''"'i  rode  his  mure  far  ahead  ot'ordinarv 
b  foV;    h:a  ion    :2/ nto^^^^^^  March  2.Uh    18-,,  nu.ro  than  a  J,tal 

been  tender-^d  tl.  c o  l^c  ,  j.ip  a^  if  ^'h  '/s''^'"''  '"""'I  *'''/  ''^'  (^"-^  '""» 
(.S.v.'s)  dei.uty.  "  I  Si  a  c.  nvi  io .  "  '  ^  ^^^\-\l!"'''  '^'"^^''"'^  ''i'nsdf  as  Ins 
'Mh.,  Ly  LLJ  experience  w.;:;','d     ^  ""^'  ^'^  ^^"'""^  '"'"^-^  ^'^'"^". 

conlidence  refer  to  the  inemlipra  of  //.,.  r„ ."       •       '  *''"'  w^h 

Stitefortheclaims  I  nAv  becLideri^Hl  '""'"'^  ^"''^  "J  '"'"-"'''"  «"r  city  and 
/  am  AUTtfORIZro/o  refr/oZf^  ^Z'V  T'  ''""'■■''^'''  conciderauon. 
0,nMmg  for  MY  POLIT  cil  S1^'%mL  ""  ^"^T  ""'' '^^  ^'"'-  C"-  C. 
adding  the%ames.fBe„y.m,n£?i;and^^^^  1\IT''   ^'  J^^^A'^''   i" 

me  of  thetr  disposition  tcJarance  my  views  ''""  ^^  ^'  ^^'^"''  "^°  '"^^  ^^"^'^^ 

patrons  fl,u„d  the  run  of  aUr^Uc^^^  nrlB^rrwhi;'!^^"  ^'"  "'' 

.;km  Vic.  President.     The' p^bilc  w^re    S      VemTni;  " .'''iyrnT;,',  '"'"T'"  ^^"■^'"; '  '^'    ^^el,;,!,;;' «m 
died  by  a  N    V.  Graml  Jury,  Sept.  1.",    H26    w  ih   Krim     "'*'""'«'  '"  "  f'=w  .iKmllis-Prn.per  was  in- 

compelled  liini  to  rL-.i^'n.    He  is  co  il.     .  ,tlv     .  '""  ""'?''  '""^^'^  '■"'"l«My,  the  'Ail,  rec'i  of  a  iillerv 

10  —  l,ocau..e  they  tl    .,"hl    .e  co'ld    J  bu^  "\L'"=  '"""'"•y'  ">^"y  "f  wlmin  ,„r„ed    he     e?« 

a.,1  as  the  greal  .uu  or  sW.  rt  v,,uT     ,  L uls       '    T^"""■  ^^  ""'"""'■•  "."'•"  '"'  "'«  ''"'"'"^  "f  Lexi„gt..,.  Ix 

the  27ih  re?'i  of  artillery  irainpd  lir    nrViVi.  |.  ,,/'i    V  ""'"^r  "'o  '^^'^t  '^  a.s  staled  1  know  not.  but  if  It  be  so 
?eaeral.hip'oroiheri"  H32     Ge-ea  Wp^^^^  7  ""'""'  """^  *  character.     Throop  gave  him  so,,?; 

pa,>y.    Nothing  c..uld  he  nnre  ap  r ?prilu  thi  .  .  ,d  'a'Tme'tbr ', h"'''' '^  ^'^  '''"""""  ^''^  ^"'"'^'^>'  ^' 
years.    The  Nautilu.s  floats  saily  c ,   IhTsorfacp  nf  il  w,  L,  I'^  '"durance  con,pai,ie..i  of  the  last  twe„ty 

membrane  f,.r  a  sail,  a.id  eniov.^  itsplf     R  ,  fh         "     "'"■■  '?  ""*■  '^•''""-  f'''!"  weaiher-spreadd  om  a  ih m 
ami  the  .torn,  rLsi/..^" a  ^'in^:  ' ,    '  t,  fai        vrom'o/'Ji't  ',"''  ^'"^  '"""'"":!  ^^"'-  '^^e  waverrolli  g"^ 

imlaalul  pnwer  when  it  cliariered  iCL-n'a   'a  '    i,-^^  re.o  ves,  thai  the  State  had  usurped 

ter  or  vote  for  a  new  one.  i.,  „  <m//or-and  llvarba,  1^1  tikh  Pvr'^Vt™'''  -  "  '''"'*'">  '"'"'^'  '"'"'^  »  ^har- 
aiiil  destructive  of  the  pul.lic  welfin.  i  "^''"  exclustve  pr,vilege3  are  essentially  fraudulent 

«-ith  Barker,  and  Thot.m  Hyau'  sen  fihe  ne  f,""?'"-  ""^  *^-  '^^  ^""^"  ^"'l  I^I"'-'^  S^l'^ncer.^frund  cudty 
'lent.  In  a  few  ,,,.nths  thev  co  llr'ved  o  .^ot*^  nft-  '''■^-  ^^"^  .a""^"?  '''e  -lirectors-Hyatl  being  preJl^ 
a".n.nt  of,  .,ay  $2:,0,(m  the  la  ,,e  B  ow  >  I  v^a-V'^sL'"™'"''"'?  i^'"'"  """f  '''■'''  "'""''y  value.'t.  the 
aivnl,ere.xtra.lnfan,ouscha,-tere.lc  m,v?r^  if-v  V  '^If  "^f  •  '""l   Wetu.ore  next  figure  as  Dirpctors  i,i 

"le.it.  and  the  active  ,„an  f  b  ,s  ne^  siv  PP-^n  L"""«.'-'  C"-.  Hyatt,  president.  Wetinore.  Vice  pres 
iio.k  each,  p.ayln.  in  5  cemV  r^tt^lonLr  ,o  s^  71  eXt  "^^^       '^T"'  '"'"  '"<t  «'"«"'  "'""'^  '"ll'e 

The  Leiijlature  had  ap, ted  Scrll  a  '  I  row,     '   1    Hv.;   fi'   '"  ''!"f'i.l"«  as",n-,  hire  putfs,  puffers,  4c. 

lie  the  Mayor  and  Recorder  of  \  Y  were  ,^  adp  'iT.  .,■  ■  .>'"  '''«"''"''f  'he  stock,  to  blind  the  pnb- 
aiteiid.  Hyatt,  the  Dre-iide,  ,  „„l  l!  ^  ,1  ''"^'■"'"•'''  '"  H'e  act,  ex-olliclo,  but  never  once  Invited  to 
immoi  wa/alf  p^irup      Vl  'iKUiiTer    tll,^^  """  "'"""^'^  "'>  ^«'"'''^i^  that  the  stock 

knowing  this  state  of,hin.,t  was  Zvel  on  ih^^^^^,^^^  ,t  ,  u-^,"'"  "'"  'I'  ^^^''"^y  ''ail  been  so  paid-and 
actually  represented  the  lims  to  be  ^o  ri  l,,  fi  ,^,"^  Welmore  continued  as  anaciive  manager,  and 
;.  eok,  with  the  others,  to  ,w(!")ro,?hfs  st  ck  rZI-i^yj'^'^'T  "«  (W«t,nore)  gave  his  nioonshl  ,e 
lm.lesmen's  Bank,  which  Jve  the  L  mhar,?a  ftW^  .r«m  ?.  nf  Vi'^"  "^,'""^'  ''"'•'  'l<"P"«ile.l  in  the 
Lo    which  lent  it  chielly  to, tss,KkioE"srockT;,w.^^  whici,  credit  was  lent  to  the  Hudso,, 

'■i<l  been,  pntred  up  to  10  and  In  ofa  pre,  u1,i  %  p  '  f.h^^  ^ecunty^  of  course,-but  the  Hudson  stock 
i;"fits,  ofconrse.  though  all  wasi'idi.!  I,',  Tui'I'^'^'^l  ^"•'  ^"  Pm'^per  says,  divided  3  ler  cenr- 
H.vatfs  trial  that  he  w«  ii  imate  v  ac  ,i'  ued  wifh  n?  '^''''''  '»,"'«  ^"ave  Malapar.  Wetniore  swwe  on 
'on  t;,  i,.,  concerns,  and  trie  ,o  b,  o  v  s/^n  f^W  m  r'^nm"'"  i''^''"-«,;"«''  ^3  Y'  ?•  f 'i'l  great  atten- 
aid  Van  Biireo  nm  worthv  of  B.rl/-ih    -    I  •   w  i  Comment  is  needless.     ?nicer.  Wpimnre   B"'i«r 

Lomiiard  Co  could  nowhere  be  to„n'd-a  mil  ion  nTlill'l   H^V''""^"  "«  "'ake-weights.    The  means  of  the 
fii5pectingt)eople-ihe  b^wks  were    Ler  writte^^  l^per  were  palmed  ofTupon  the  honest,  un 

ket  10  raise  c-Jh  upon,  burboX  trbe  re^ "rned    '^np?»T"'  '^^''V''"'^""^  '"''''""'ed  and  sent  into  ma  - 
^-d  loss.    Hyatt  S^i  bat  little  to  .io'laT^TLr^Z'^tT^ltZ  fZ\^^  ^Z^r^t,'^^ 


re 


ALDERMAN  PUKDV — M.  W.  QUACKENBOSS. 


Mr.  Aldemiaii  Piirdy,  now  Surveyor  of  the  Port  of  Now  York,  an  ofliro  worih 
$  10,000  a  year,  bcssidcs  its  jfrciit  patronast;,  is  anotlicr  uf  tli('  active,  party  iiuij- 
ticianu,  who  have  been  lung  (|uartered  upon  tin   public  at  tlic  Custom  House. 

Alderman  Ptirdy  (Surveyor,  Porf  of  N.   V.)  to  Sam' I  Swfirtwoul,  when  about  to  Ae 

Colkctor. 

"  Sin — The  undersifjiied  i»  an  ;ipi)lieant  for  the  situation  of  Inspector  of  the 
Customs — lie  liaw  a  larijc  family  to  .sup|)or1,  and,  if  appointed,  will  use  his  utmost 
exertion  to  perform  tluf  duties  of  tli<!  ottice  properly.  For  chnrir/rr  and  Qu/ijiai- 
tion.%  he  refers  you  to  his  friends  and  acquaintance.         ELIJAH  F.  PURDY." 

Wc  the  uud(!r.si(?ned,  beintf  acquainted  with  Filijah  F.  Purdy,  do  recommend  him 
as  a  man  of  liouesty,  industry,  and  iutegritv,  and  wrll  (nialified  for  the  offiro  of 
Inspector  of  the  Customs.  '    JOHN  W.  llARDKNHKOOK, 

New  York,  April  'J/th,  ItiriU.  SAM'L  L.  tJ()UVB:RNEUR. 


Maui^k  M.  Qiiarlicnhoss  {one  of  his  securities)  to  (.'olleetor  Swarttvout. 

"  Nkw  Yohk,  April  "iTtli,  1H'20. — Mv  Dkau  Siii — 1  am  not  in  the  habit  of 
asking  mor(!  of  a  friend  than  perhaps  I  am  called  uj'im  imperioiisly  to  do,  after  tiie 
master-strokes  of  policy,  and,  1  may  add,  downi. Ljlit  chicanery,  tiuit  has  been 
made  use  of  to  defeat  you  in  your  justly  grounded  expectations,  which  have  now 
achieved  their  climax,  io  your  honor  be  it  spoktMi,  that  the  weight  of  yimr  chararln 
has  borne  you  triiim[)hantly  through,  to  the  utter  dismay  of  your  opponents  and 
traducers.  1  have  but  one  reciuesl  to  make  of  you,  and  that  is  to  be  guarded  how 
you  give  any  countenance  to  the  jietition  of  ]''.iijah  F.  Purdy  for  the  appointment  of 
an  Inspector  of  the  (^ustctms,  as  hi:  is,  to  my  knowledge,  a  man  not  to  be  depended 
upon,  and  one  that  has  invarialily  supported  SWAMP,  alias  regular  nomination. 
On  the  other,  I  take  the  like  liberty  of  recommending  Alexander  Whaley,  Junior, 
for  the  appointment  of  Inspector,  (from  the  10th  ward,)  a  man  every  worthy  of 
youi  confideuce  and  patnmagi — and  his  success  would  bi;  personally  gratifying  to 
your  friends  in  this  part  of  the  town,  and  most  particularly  and  personally  so  to 
your  true  friend  and  brother  soldier,  M.  M.  QUACKENBOSS." 

To  S.  L.  Gonrerneur,  Postmaster. 

Dkar  Sir — The  bearer,  Mr.  Whaley,  is  the  gentleman  I  spoke  to  you  about 
yesterday— HE  IS  A  VERY  ACTIVE  POLITICIAN,  and  wants  an  appoint- 
ment in  the  Custom  House.  You  will  confer  a  particular  favor  on  me  by  giving 
him  a  few  lines  of  recommendation  to  Mr.  Swartwout. 

Truly  yours,  M.  M.  QUACKENBOSS. 

Mem.  (Hand  writing  S.  Swartwoet.) — "  Alexander  Whaley  is  strongly  recom- 
mended by  Mangle  M.  Quackenboss.     He  is  also  opposed  to  Purdy." 

This  is  neither  the  lime  nor  place  to  dwell  at  large  on  Mr.  Pnrdy's  character- 
while  an  Inspector  his  duties,  except  the  political,  were,  to  my  knowledge,  very 
easy  indeed.  Now,  himself,  his  son,  and  I  do  not  very  well  know  how  many  more 
of  his  relatives  arc  billeted  on  Uncle  Sam,  between  Pine  and  Wall  streets.  He  is 
very  useful  to  Lawrence  as  a  channel  of  communication  with  '  the  boys,'  and  as  a 
sort  of  foreman  in  the  machine  shop. 

One  of  the  most  wanton  and  cruel  outrages  I  f  \er  heard  of  was  committed  by 
Police  Officers  Colvin  and  Sweet,  on  the  person  of  the  Reverend  John  Mulligan 
Damages  one  thousand  dollars  were  given  in  a  civil  action,  but  nothing  collected 
In  the  criminal  prosecution  they  were  found  guilty,  and  fined  $50  each,  a  mockery 
of  justice  that  called  forth  from  Mr.  Bryant,  through  the  Evening  Post,  on  the 

of  e,|iiulitv,  a  paternal  goviirninei  t,  and  justice,  and  eiicniiraie  vire  liy  tlie  successful  example  of  the  knave 
III  the  iS'.  Y.  Evenine  Pest.  Fell.  7.  ISS7,  we  find  the  Barker,  Hyatt,  Lambert,  Wetinore.  Brown  and  olliei 
rascally  impostures  of  Ilie  day  admirably  exposed.  '■  Wc  have  seen  them,"  says  the  writer,  "  moved  by  ihe 
same  wires,  and  playiiis  upon  the  same  puppet.-) — pledging,  hypothecalins.  ani  iransferinu  the  same  worth' 
less  bjnds — the  same  worlhle.ss  uoies— the  ,-:ime  depreciated  stock— and  olTerinir  tlie  same  liankriipt  securn 
tir.j^-snme.time.s  to  hiilstnr  uj;  on.T  cnmpaiiy  r.nritplim^s  anr.fbrr— :^(-.rr,<=iinie=  tr.  f'.rvvar.i  the  Pr"-!  iChm'fJ 
of  one  speculator,  and  at  others  to  practise'  some  new  deception  upon  the  helievins  public.  We  have  seen 
them  daily  and  hourly  resort  to  all  the  miserable  shifts  and  e.xpedieiits  of  worthless  mendacity  to  protract 
the  vilu  deception,  aiid  involve  more  innoceni  viclima." 


jsih  of  Marcl 
tnnicd  ihiMU  01 
'ralliii.idgi^  w;i 
iiiorc  .>*cver!!  ar 
ovcrriili'd  him. 
Cti.siom  House 

Peter  Field, 
the  ('(un'ra  of 
(jistoms,  a  tax 
nil  winch  Fgbe 
lilts" — went  to 
(liuniKid  sons  of 
(iainn  you,  I  wi 

That  there  ai 
printed  leaves,  i 
oioiis — can  be  p 

The  C-'ommis 
suliscriptioiis  w 
two  or  three  da 
had  an  allercati 
reported  to  Mr, 
sub.scripiions. 
motion  for  the  \ 

I  have  tilread, 
liberties  of  the  i 
ing  disciples  of 

Extract  of  a 
"There  is  everj 
has  communicat 
panied  WITH 
grral/i/  throughi, 

I  don't  think 
can  get  a  living 

Extract  of  a 
X.  York. — datei 
nomination  for  o 
Customs.     Mr.  ] 
and  a  slrniaus  at 

*  Siirli  are  the  pin 
Mesvain  to  I  lie  I,(.L'is 
"iir:.Miiized  ami  disci 
•  iciiiTal  .liisefih  G.  Sh 
Fire  Iiisnrauce  Cii. .  i 
iiniriicifd  I  lie  Naval 
(lie  wlm!.'  Navy  Viird 
ri'voltiii:,'  Io  every  fric 
Clliiloii.  "i.s  tliewor.- 
I'l'lreeiloin,  it  cnuiliiin 
iIm>  lilierlie.i  of  free  sii 
-lillili!:  his  full  perHii 
iiiirii'd  ill  ohlivion,  he 
Ih"  n-piililii-  liy  hi.H  co 

.Vever  was  a  posit ii 
much  on  the  iuerease, 

Portsmouth,  May  A 
niiiut,  l;iiely  a  resider 
He  is  a  gentleman  wh 
l-ite  .\av:)l  st.ire  Keep 
yars  IMr.  Blunt  has  s 
laithfiil  ill  ilm  perforii 
no  man  wliom  I  wouk 
nnd  (ijienhj  adrocatK, 
by  Mr.  Hlimt  has  heer 
"nsurceririfuHv.  Sh.-"i 
maligiKinl  sHafts  oft 
which  I  presume  i/'uu 
mine,  and  I  Iherel'ore  t 
"jjpoiiilmeiU  ill  till:  C; 


DE  WITT  CLINTON  EXPOSES  •  THE  ORGANIZED  CORPS.' 


77 


ofliro  worih 
party  iiuli- 
[ciUHe. 

about  to  bt 

;ctor  of  the 
»  his  utinnst 
tid  Qn/ijiia- 
IJHDY." 

mmend  him 
lie  ofTioo  of 
HKOOK, 
VEUR. 

vout. 

lie  habit  of 
lo,  after  tiie 
It  has  been 
h  have  now 
ii/r  charartcr 
)onents  and 
;uar(led  how 
jointment  of 
I  be  ({(fended 
nomination, 
iley,  Junior, 
y  worthy  of 
[ratifying  lo 
ionally  so  to 
4B0SS." 


I  you  about 
an  appoini- 
le  by  giving 

:nboss. 

ngly  rccotn- 

character— 
vlcdge,  very 
'  many  more 
sets.  He  is 
s,'  and  as  a 

)mmitted  by 
in  Mulligan, 
ig  eollected. 
,  a  mockery 
Post,  on  the 

e  of  the  knave 
Jrown  and  olhei 
"  moved  by  ihe 
ihe  same  worili. 
ankriipt  securr 

We  have  seen 
city  to  proltact 


Ihih  J-r  Mun-h   hi«t    strong,  pointed  and  well  merited  rensurcB.     Mayor  Morris 
nuned    h..m  out  ol    he  police.      I'he  Post  having  directed  h..  eensures  Jl  I  ecorS! 
l.lliu.tdge,  wa,s  ai  orined   ihat  ho  had   been  really  anxious  to  have  inflicted  a  fa 
more  .severe  and  a,ie.,uate  punishment,  but  that  .lMr,„.«  Purdy  and  \  an.krvoor 
ovcrnil..!  h.m.     Sweet,  an  active,  violent  parly  politician,  onee  behmged  to  the 
(  nsloin  HoiiH-,  and  most  probably  i.s  on  pay  there  now 

I'eier  Field  an  Inspector  whom  Mr,  Uoyt  had  removed,  testified  on  oath  before 
te  oin  r.,  of  Impiiry,  in  1811,  that  Tammany  Hall  assessed  every  office  of  the 
(ustmns,  a  tax  lor  eleetione..ring  ."xpenses.  One  time  he  (Field)  w^ould  not  pay- 
oiMvh.eli  Mien  (...Sweet,  also  an  Inspeetr.r,  said  to  him  "You'll  be  s.  rfy^for 
his  -went  to  a  book,  tore  <,ut  a  list  of  the  Inspectors,  &e.,  saying,  "A  i\-lu 
.huniu.l  sous  of  bitches  that  don't  p.y  up  will  be  .sorry  for  it.      .       ^  ^Z 

.lami.  you,  I  will  rememb..r  you  for  ii."     Soon  alter  thi.s  Field  was  pui'out" 

Ihat  here  are  .such  reports  m.-idi,  by  spies  among  the  (Ju.tom  H.m  se  Officers   on 

printed  leaves,  and  in  other  eurious  ways  and  shapes-secret,  partial,  an<l  of  en  mali" 

nous-c  ,n  be  proved,  and  their  authors  shamed,  whenev.r  it , nay  become  necessary 

1  ho  Commissioners  ex.miued   Sweet,  who  at   once   admitted  that  the  election 

sul-scriptions  went  to  tl.   Tammany  Hall  Committee-tbat  he  ha.l  been  absent  S 

wo  or  three  days  in  s.uv,..s.sioi.,  electioneering,  as  had  al.M,  other  offieers-a  fd  had 

hud  an  al  creation  will.  Field-bu.  hud  not  /.  thc/»st  of  Ins  r.collnUon  and  IS 

reported  /.  Mr.  II,n,t  the  names  of  officers  who  did  not  subscribe  to  the  TammS 

subscriptions.     As  a  metnber  of  Tammany,  Sweet  voted  against  Dr.  Ro^kweH's 

motion  for  the  proscription  of  T.egget(.  ».  .tvuu^vvt-ii  s 

I  have  already  stated  enough  to  show  a  most  infamous  combination  ar^ainst  the 

hber  les  o    the  country,  as  stated  by  Mr.  Jefferson-the  emispirators  being  piofess- 

ing  disciples  ol  that  eminent  statesman.  ^  P'o'tss 


Extract  of  a  letter-H.  F.  Hutler  to  Jesse  Hovt-Albany,  January  18,  1821  - 
■'  Ihere  is  every  prospect  ol  a  stormy  session.     The  Governor  [De  Wilt  Ciintonl 

tST^mt  vkI  Y 'AB;^^rMFs^^'^^^i^^f  ^^^  ^««r'^  ^^r- 

greall,,  thrnu^hout  tluUriim*  ^^"'^^AGK.      rh,s  business  will  injure  him 

I  don't  think  I  shall  be  an  applicant  for  any  thing  this  winter-certainly  not  if  I 
can  get  a  living  without,  which  I  hope  may  be  the  case  " 
Lxtract  of  a  I'Mter-O,.  S  Dowiuair  ,o  S.  Swartwout,  Collector  of  the  port  of 

],^^?p^i^:;s;,:r!^^^,::^-:,::.s^^  lis :, 

Cuslo,,,,.     Mr.  M»C,,c  „  f„„„,My  |,„„„-„  ,„  ,„,  „,  „  ,„,.,„  POLITIC  a£7k„2 

ih"  npiihli,'  l,y  hi.,  ron -t  „„  ii,|,  ll,  ,',si„„  'V  '"'l''"^"'"  po-'^nly  cu  havinir  eudeavnred  to  ,l(«erve  w«ll  of 

m^ronthHSlr''"''^^  ""'""'"'  ">'-"'--■     '^  '•««'^«''"  long  hHoiv  the  p,.„pl..,     R,.  thn  ovil  i« 
n    .  1    ,»       ,  '^"'-  J"'""  Decatur  lo  Collnrliir  Swariwoni 


78 


JOHN  MACOKE—CUSTOM  HOUSE  POLtCE. 


Extractor  a  letter— RiVAflr^  Cormrrir,  Rronklvn,  Dec.  20,  1832,  to  the  same— 
"  Permit  me  to  iiitrodiu-e  lo  you  my  IVietut  Mr.  John  Mar.OfP,  iind  solicit  from  yon 
the  favor  ot'ohtainm!?  iho  ai)i)iiitjtirn!iU  of  on*;  of  the  Inspectors  of  (histoms  for  said 
port.  Mr  Mac(iet>  is  ii  uiiiitlemaii  of  jj'""'  moral  character,  iiidiihtrioiis  hal)its,  and 
in  my  opinion  calciilaied  to  make  a  useful  ofTiccr  in  your  (l('|iarimeut.  From  lux  aj)- 
pcaran.r  in  piMir  tifi — and  that  is  coeval  with  his  ape — hr  lias  litni  a  fin,'  and 
uniform  supporter  of  drmorrntir  vrincipl'S.  and  i'spr<ially  in  support  of  our  pristnt 
administration— anil  IT  IS  TO  11  IS  EXER'I'IONS,  as  much  as  to  am/  ollirr  tnii\. 
vidual,  THAT  KING'S  COUNTY  STANDS  AS  HIGH  AS  SHE  DOES  m 
the  political  famthj  of  the  state, ''^ 

Here  is  a  very  fair  specimen  of  the  system  by  which  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  Mr, 
Butler  control  our  elections.  Mr.  John  MacGee  is  sent  to  receive  his  pay  for  ex- 
penditure in  lungs  and  labor  in  Kings  (Jounty.  While  the  worthy  citizens  of 
Williamsburgh  and  Brooklyn  were  admiring  the  almost  superhuman  exertions  of 
Patriot  MacCJee,  and  his  long  cherished  love  of  Jackson  and  Van  Buren,  he  was 
thinking  of  the  $  l.'JOO  salary  he  would  gain  by  it,  the  perquisites,  and  how  lon^ 
he  could  keep  them.  No  douht  the.  Brooklyn  folks,  in  Nov.  1834,  thought  that 
they  had  de"ided  the  election.  Quite  a  mistake  I  Mr.  MacGee,  as  much  as  any 
living  man  had  turned  the  scale— and  a  Commissioner  to  help  to  distribute  the 
stock  of  the  Ailaniic  Bank  hands  him  a  draft  on  the  Custom  House,  in  full  of  his 
patriotism,  where  it  was  duly  honored. 

If  ihe  administration  of  the  day  can  create  offices  by  the  thousand,  needed  and 
not  needed,  pay  the  incumbents  out  of  the  proceeds  of  taxation,  and  put  up  places 
of  $1,000  to  $?0,(IOO  as  prizes  to  be  gained  by  the  basest  conduct  of  which 
politicians  can  be  guilty,  neither  life  nor  freehold  will  be  safe  to  an  owner — fraud 
and  villainy  will  trmmph,  and  our  country  be  degraded  among  the  nations.  Free- 
men see  to  it. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Vlshocffcr  of  the  Evening  Post — his  letter  to  Hoyt — espionage  among  democrats. 
Rose,  Garniss,  Shourt,^Winship,  Bog gs,  Kirk,  Gross,  cj-c.  WesterveWs  pickings, 
Sit^artwout^s  stealings,  ^^  Democrats  of  our  stamp. ^^  Jeromus  Johnson,  B,  J. 
Merserole.  Abraham  Le  Foij,  The  Morning  News,  Burr,  Mexico,  Swartwout, 
and  place  hunting. 

If  any  one  had  told  mo  five  years  ago,  that  Henry  UlshoefTer,  brother  to  the 
Judge,  and  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Evening  Post,  had  stooped  to  slander  his 
neighbors  behind  their  backs,  to  their  injury,  collect  the  scandal  of  the  hour  for 
Mr.  Hoyt,  listen  to  the  private  convcrsatiou  of  his  friends  at  the  dinner  table,  and 
note  it  down  secretly  for  the  Collector,  I  would  not,  could  not  have  credited  it. 
But  I  have  copied  the  following  extraordinary  memoranda,  from  the  original,  in  the 
well-known  hand  of  the  subscriber  to  it,  who  had  been  a  clerk  employed  in  Ward 
and  Hoyfs  office,  and  afterwards  had  an  $800  sinecure  clerkship  in  the  Custom 
House.  In  those  days  when  religious  majorities  governed  the  world,  fortunate  was 
he  who  profr.'ised  the  creed  of  the  powers  that  were.  Equally  fortunate  is  that 
lawyer  now  whose  politics  have  no  variance  from  those  of  the  "  regular  demo- 
crats," banded  together  to  dispense  the  patronage  of  the  country  among  ICFthem- 
selves. 

DePeyster,  who  told  the  young  butcher's  ancestorjthat  Mr.  Van  Buren  "  was  a 
damned  little  rascal,"  sufTered  a  loss  of  $  1095  per  annum  in  his  rent-roll.  What 
happened  the  conservative  who  exclaimed — "  Who  the  devil  is  Mr.  Hoyt— who 
ever  heard  of  him?"  I  do  not  know.  The  cartman  for  the  Post  was  installed  into 
office,  under  the  "judicious  tariff "  of  George  A.  Wasson.  Ricard  the  "mere 
drone,"  and  the  poor  clerk  who  was  said  to  be  "  the  rankest  whig  breathing," 
were  ignorant  that  an  informer  had  undermined  them.  Mr.  Ulshoeffer  adopted 
in  practice  Mr.  L.  Hoyt's  convenient  rule  of  injuring  pueple,  keeping  ihera  the 
•while  in  the  dark. 


Aililrc"— '  Jem  Hoy 
ucd-i  fi'f  ol!tc«. — 17 

'•  Okorob  \V.  Ron 
whiihi'Vi'f  .iImII  (ipiH). 
r.'iii'in'ir.i  ii'i')  thai  In' 
Ktvte  III'  ki'i'l  u  hIiI 
|iar(ii>'r<  ill  IiIh  iIimiIi 
my  t'.illiur  and  irKitlnti 
lie'  iUTiiU'iilnhi'd  lliii 
UK'  Hiiic  k  (ilif  balajici 
ere  11  t;.vt'rliHiiH,  anil  v 

ilU.I'  ■  ll'illl  I'lldl  IlK'U 
,llll  .llll'lllptl'll  to  llll    i 

i,\i  I'uli'iiNiiiiiii.s,  ami  I 
Minjiirliiiii's,  Ills  sdirf 
n-,H  tiiviTeil  liy  iinun 
lu'eii  iilliiTivim!  till!  \H 
ri'vjvi'  lilt  a  ciminIiIimmI 
Mr.  K'l'i!  wlilii',<  til  w 
i<t  II  liiw  yi'iirs. 

He  IS  «  IkiiKicrnt 

Winl.  /((  hriiiiili.tl  tin 

11  hid  i|iiiilitlcutiuiis,  I 

I'ldil  at  tiu'iiri'.s  and  cu 

.i|li.:('.    TiiU  I  well  ki 

A(  I  lini'i!  UchtK  a-.ii 

linn  you   will   cniifor 

alpfin  ttf  uuyfumihi^ 

My  linillier  the  Juil 

Joseph  Oahniss,  m 

He  1.1  a'loiit  ;),'!  y.'ai-M  i 

your  wife  lia.s  piircluui 

Giriiis.slinaril.-i  with 

him  well— A;n  /mlilirs 

tiiine  with  the  Whis,'s 

trjlini 

Althoiii;h  I  li.ive  no 
rsciiiiiiiie.ul  to  your  iic 
la  ilie  iutere.il  I  I'eel 
Mr,  Cilemar  was  ohiii 
ivlii'rc  he  h:i.')  ,son!,'hl  I 
He  i.-i  a  niiigle  tiiaii, 
James  Mo.nhoe  \V 
tt'iiifliip,  butcher  of 
know  from  repeated  ( 
merils.  As  to  my  ow 
fiej  for  some  .situation 
parii/,  and  it  would 
coiilil  be  in.ide. 

Geoboe  \V.  Shour' 
P'eu  you  oil  the  subjei 
liieiicy  of  doini;  what 
daily  the  mail  papers 
uri'i,i»  from  me. 

Edmi'nd  J,  Gros.s 
aDeiiiocrat.     I  iutrodi 
4o  years  of  aie,   Jiid^^i 
ih?  place  creditably, 
III  his  appliailiun. 

William  J.  Booos 

hww  /lis  polilics  to 

will  be  candid  euoush 

son  and  others,  alllioi 

Mr.  Coe's  application 

.Monreaiid  others,  endi 

He  is  at  present  a  i 

could  for  him,  some 

ward— anil  has  a  f.imil 

The  above  applicanti 

Of  those  who  are  all 

James  Westerveli 

foco.  and  ouiiht  not  to 

beea  in  office  alKiui  eia 

Peter  Coutant  is  a 

IS  ont  of  the  firmest  c 

by  the  W'hi?s,  and  had' 

isson-i.ilaw  of  Daniel 

Thomas  Kirk  *  is  ; 

being  retained,  but  I  ca 

in?,  cordially,  hi.s  reap] 

"Kirk  wa.'?  removed 
Lawrence.     H»  i«  now 


CUSTOM  HOrsE  ESPIONAGE — HENRY  ULSHOEFFER. 


79 


AJdrcM-'  Jen*  Hoyt  E«i.'    Endowment-"  Memorandumi  of  H'y.  UUhocTor  r.lallve  to  mnidrv  appllca- 
iioiiM  f'lr  olnc«.— l<ili  Miircli,  If.J^."  '' 

"  MKMORANDUM  OK  H  ULSHOEFFER." 

'•  OiconoE  W.  RoHE  h'L'.  hild  Iwfi.rc  y.Mi  iiu  nppllciiii.Mi  fnr  ('hrksliip  in  (Imirs,  or  lh<-  offini  of  tmmclor 
whH  h.v,.f  hIuII  nppeiir  lo  he  ai  your  (lis|MHal.  I  have  iilri-ndy  hIhI.'iI  to  you  (anil  I  now  ri-iN-al  ii  fi'r  vmir 
,..,,.•10  MM  ,o.Mhal  1,-  iH  rclalwl  lo  nw  -.s  m,,linc(Uy  ,i  ni-itor)  Ho  has  iiioslly  rc^i.leil  In  llui  ^ovu„ll,  ward. 
nlKri-  hf  k.'i't  II  a  iiprlmncllBrH  Nioru,  ».i  «iiccea.s,>r  lo   my  cldc.il   hroihor,  Gcorao  UNhoeirer   (llii-y  wcro 

i'"';.";f '  ■'' '",-  ''••;»'' '  !^'r  ,"''""''■■  '■" ,''''  ^^''"'  ■'''■'•''""''  ^^'  """'" '"  '•'" "» ""i'  •>"'  '"'"H""'  <i"'i  pav  w 

my  l.alier  and  niotli.M-  y\w  lull  v.ilii..  .>!  ilm  »i,„k  al  ll,,-  tlin.i  oriiiH  direiuc,  fur  their  fnluri;  rnnif.rt  ili-Voro 
|„.  ,uTnn.|,|Hh,.(l  this  h«  lHM:ain..  i,m,lrn,l,  hnl  a.tr.l  «itl,  ...„n(l  Caiih  to  his  -ran.l  ,mr..ntH  and  paidtheni  for 
liiL-HiHck  ulic  hal.i,,,'.'  lino  ,,i  hi.  fadnro  iNinnL'  Hinall  )  llr  iImmi  pnH.'urrd  a  roiea-t-  lioni  his  crodilorfl  l.y 
cr,Ml(,vfrionH  and  wiih  the  aid  ofaiiinofrifnda  went  into  tho  (iiiH-.iry  hii^iiuw  In   ('h«rry   Nlr.rl    which 

,„i,|.    I„ilh  nidi  niecl     appiiroatly.     l,nsi  May  he  ro vod  his  Hi„ro  Into  Cnont,...'  Slip,  and  look  a  iiariner 

,,  ,;|  .illi'hipliMl  to  d..  a  holtor  hir-im-.s-  hnl  llio  i-lmnuf  ihal  .■iinie  ovor  the  l.ii.nncH..  cinmunllv  ovi'i-m-i  uII 
huraliMluiioiM,  and  111!  hiu  hepii  wa.siniif  hw  moans  .-vrr  aincu  in  m'cossary  oxpfiisoM.  T,.  ;rowii  all  hii 
n.Nlnrtiini-.  Ins  Morf  look  hro  the  early  pan  of  Alairh,  anil  hi.i  wholo  Ntock  waa  lo.^l  Thorirh  iho  slock 
uMHCoviTcd  hy  iniunini-o.  it  had  hmi  pn.cnrcd  momly  upon  rroilit.  and  niiiM  h..  paid  for:  and  I'Voii  if  it  hid 
Veil  01  ii-rwino  iho  pi-ospnu  of  don,!;  lMisi,ii..H,s  f„r  a  li.n'-  wIiIIh  i,  \.h\  a  hop'HiMs  ono  Triido  i.i  iioi  likol>  lo 
n.vnT  Ml  a  coiiNidoralilu  iM^riod-and  Air  llnsotliinks  \n-  iiiiHt  finally  irivo  wp.     Ciidor  llioio  cirruinMaii'-.i 

..Ir.  K«*i'  WHli.',i  to  wilhdraw  fr hia  liimnes.-i.  and  lake  audi  an  app..inuii.-nt  as  will.iiVoid  him  «  livelihood 

lir  a  ii'\v'  yrara. 
}U  ii>n  ninwernt  nf  our  i<lnm,i-\!,  pertinnciniiH  in  nraumwit,  and  of  »ond  ediipallon.    In  the  Seventh 
W  inl,  hi  l,n„M>,l  lhesli,nn  of  Ultigu'ir^  i„  l^M,  and  suHorod  in  his  hiisinnsH  Home  on  tlialncionnl.     Am 


.My  liroiher  Ihe  Judso.  i\lr.  Jordan  and 


ililloHs  .-.[nki'ii  to  you  on  this  siihjprl. 


J0.SEPII  OAHNiSb,  with  wlinni  I  havu  Iwon  acqnainlid  for  years,  is  applying  for  the  ollir,.  of  Ininect 
He  n  a  »iiil  .).)  yars  of  a.^n  and  wa,^  fnnnorly  a  clerk  of  L'oliMniir  the  Crockery  Dealer  In  Broadway  wh. 
your  wife  ha.s  purchased  Cliina  ware  freipifiilly.  07,  "in 


or. 
where 

Giniiss  hoards  willi  my  motliPiin.law.iiiid  has  forwvoral  years.  H.Mxiards  in  John  street  (2d  ward  )  I  know 
him  «el I-Am  ,,ol,l,c.i  are  of  the  ri^lit  knnl  Kvery  day  al  dinner  GarnlHa  and  I  have  a  regular  corivcraa- 
iHiiie  with  the  W  higs  al  tahle,  and  I  have  found  him  firmly  and  enthusiastically  attached  to  the  adminis- 

.\lihiiii-li  I  have  no  pfrnonn/  inlrrpM  in  his  application,  I  know  nf  no  youni;  man  I  could  more  cordially 
mMinme.ul  to  your  notice  Imth  on  account  of  his  |i„litic.s  and  capantv.  I  place  him  only  next  lo  Mr  Hose 
iiillie  interest  1  leel  m  hi.sappliciition.  Owing  to  climme  in  trade  and  the  necessity  of  economizing 
Mr  Cleniar  was  ohlnied  to  ,  isnii.is  Mr.  Garni.ss,  ami  every  dcparlmei.t  seciiw  to  he  filled  in  other  placei 
Hhcre  he  ln,s  sMiight  lor  omploymenl.  "  •■•  "wn,i   jjiucls 

He  is  a  single  man. 

is  son  of  Daniel 
Democrat,  as  I 

merits.  As  lii'  my  own  knowledge  of  his  caiiacity.  I  caii's-iy  no'ViKlre 'tiikn 'iTiat'i'  Imlie^ve'hi'm  To'te  qual'i* 
fieii  for  some  situation  of  small  salary.  His  futher  has  miitriliuled  lihernHy  in  moneu  to  the  Democratir 
parly   and  it  teould  be  securing  a  large  family  interest  for  the  administration,  if  the  appointmenl 


James  Mo.nhoe  Win.shii',  a  young  man,  19  years  of  atre,  applies  for  a  Clerkship     He  v 
Hiiiship,  butcher  of  Fulton  Market,  and  resides  in  the  17ih  ward.     IJe  is  of  course  a 
kiinw  from  repeated  conver.sationa.     Yon  have  seen  him  at  your  house,  andean  juil''e  se 


fi. 


could  be  made. 
aEOBOE  \V.  Shourt  wants  tlie   place  of  Carlinan  lo  the  Ptihlic  Store  in  N'.assau  street. 


As  he  has 


K'^.i  yod  on  the  subject,  and  you  know  his  politics,  you  can  form  an  opinion  of  his  merit,  and  ilie  exoe- 
meiicy  of  doing  what  he  wishes.  He  has  for  some  lime  been  the  Carlmaii  of  the  Jurening  I'ost  carrvinir 
d,iily  the  mail  papers  to  i  he  Fost  Ollice.  He  is  a  15th  warder,  and  yon  can  take  care  of  him  without  ay 
urihig  Irom  me.  •■■uu»  on/ 

Edmi-.sd  J.  Gross  Is  a  ,  applicant  for  the  place  of  Inspector.  Ho  is  of  the  lOlh  ward.  Of  course  he  is 
a  Ueinocral.  I  iniroiln  ,1  hiin  to  you  one  day  in  your  ollice  in  Wall  street.  He  is  a  married  man  of  about 
4.)  years  of  aie.  Jiulsnii,'  from  Ins  appearance.  He  is  a  re.speciable  man.  anil  would,  I  have  no  doubt,  fill 
ih?  place  creditably.    He  relics  much  on  my  influence  in  lliis  business,  but  I  hare  no  particular  interest 


in  his  application. 


.Monreaiid  others,  endeavored  to  defeat  you'r  appointirienl. 

He  is  at  present  a  letter-carrier  In  the  Post  Ollice,  and  though  /  at  one  time  felt  disposed  to  do  all  I 
'^"Idfor  hun,  some  tilings  liave  induced  me  not  lo  urge  you  strongly  in  his  favor.  He  is  in  the  10th 
«-ir(l— and  has  a  f.miily.     Mr.  Coddingloii  can  tell  you  about  him. 

The  above  applicants  are  all  7ifip  ones. 

Of  tiiose  who  are  already  in  the  Custom  House  I  will  speak  as  follows  : 

James  Westervelt  Is  a  Weii^hcr,  and  has  spoken  to  me  about  his  situation.  He  la  thoroushlu  loco- 
.raw.  ami  ought  not  10  be  removed.  There  is  no  objection  to  his  being  retained  that  I  know  of.  fie  has 
'■Knx  m  oflice  alxiiii  eighteen  months. 

Pefer  Coutant  is  an  Inspector,  and  has  been  in  office  about  a  year  and  an  half.  I  know  him  well  He 
u'T  Z-l-  -fi"']^^'  ?/  <""•  P^^'y-  Old  Gilbert  Coutanl  is  his  uncle.  He  has  beti^  persecuted  formerly 
uie  v>  higs.  and  had  to  abandon  his  business  in  consequence.  He  ought  to  be  retained  by  all  means  Ha 
I'  -ioiMiilaw  of  Daniel  Winsbip. 

TnoMAS  KiiiK  *  is  a  Weigher,  and  now  in  oiricc.  He  has  not  spoken  a  word  to  me  00  the  subject  of  his 
utiii^'  retained,  but  I  cannot  omit  the  opporlunily,  while  I  am  making  these  memorandums,  of  recommend- 
i.i?.  cordially,  his  reappoiiilment. 

''Kirk  wa.s  removed  by  Van  Ness,  hut,  being  a  stronj  friend  of  Van  Buren,  was  soon  restored  to  offcs  by 
lawrence.     He  is  now  an  inspector.  ' 


80 


ESVIONAGE — DOUBLE  FEES JEROMUS  JOHNSON. 


OLI 


He  13  a  fine  old  ?entloman.  of  nnr  politics ;  and  has  been  a  constant  visitor  at  the  ofTice  of  the  Erenin' 
I'ost,  whiiro  he  frerineiilly  dj^ronrsi's  on  politic.-;— and,  of  coiiMc.  Ills  ofiinion^  are  well  known  to  Brvai't 
and  rny.selt      Hi>  wa-i  imco  of  the  firm  of  Kirk  and  iMcrcoin,  Booksellers  of  this  city. 

JosKi'ii  Diiiivi.OL's  is  now  an  Inspector,  ami  wishes  to  he  iransftfrnd  to  the  French  Jloor  in  the  Public 
htore  ni  .Vissan  street,  where  ilio  p,iy  is  the  same  as  he  now  wis,  and  which  chan'je  woidd  enable  him  (ori 
account  of  'Tealur  ciinvenieiice  in  the  hours  of  hn.siness)  to  pay  sumi:  iilliiilion  lo  ul/irr  ma/lirs,  and  mah. 
nis  iw;oiiii'  /,rliir~m  railicr  i-iia!i]i'  him  to  msiruci  his  children  in  some  hranches  of  education.  Inihis 
etore  he  wonhl  lie  attendaiil  upon  the  appraisers, 

Kiiowiii2  his  politics  lo  he  (liciihUli/  ])iiiwcratir,  I  would  recommeiiil,  if  nolhin?  interfered  in  your 
opinion,  his  tran.^ler  to  the  I'nblic  Store.  Ho  is  a  eood  jiid-e  of  Krcnch  arlich's,  and  iiiiirht  l;e  of  service  in 
that  (leparimeiit. 

Amon'T  those  who  are  opposed  to  the  ,-idminislralion.  and  in  olhce,  thi've  i.s  A.  S.  PkPevster,  (weigher  i 
He  is  a  thoromrh  Whii:.  hni  has  nr^ed  .some  Democrats  to  speak  lo  you  for  him.     Look  out  for  him  \ 

lie  told  Mr.  Daniel  Winshipthat  'Mr.  Van  Buren  wa.s  a  dain'd  little  rascal,"  or  words  to  that  effec- 
and  this  loo  very  ririnlhj. 

S.vMi-EL  B.  t'l.iiMi.vc;  "is  a  f'u"Sf?rTO//rc  Democrat  of  the  rankest  sort.  He  was  a  strenuous  advocate  for 
Lop  s  appoi.itmiMit  lo  the  roHecior.diip— and  said  before  you  was  nominated,  '•  Who  the  Devil  is  Mr.  Hovt  '■ 
AVho  ever  heard  of  him  .'"  Ac. 

IlKN'iiv  K.  Fiio.sT.  a  Cle;ic.  I  know  to  he  the  rankest  Whiu  lirentliinL',  and  oiil'Iu  to  be  removed  without 
scrii|)le. 

Ckohoe  KifAHi).  an  Fnsperlor.  hiis  Ix-en  In  olhce  several  years,  and  is,  I  nndersland.  in  eond  pecuniar- 
circ-imslance.s.  and  could  live  willinut  the  olii.-e.  He  is  from  the  inih  ward.  He  scarcely  ever  attends  our 
meeiinirs.  and  is,  in  a  political  point  of  view,  u  men  ifroni: 

Let  liim  he  removed  ! 

HiiNiiv  \y*****T,  an  Ins|ieclor,  is  .i  drunken  bejst.  ami  notwithstaiulincr  liis  politics,  he  oimht  to  be 
renv.ved.     This  is  |)iil)lic  .sentiment  v.herevcr  he  is  known.     .\nv  one  in  the  teiilh  ward  wil!  say  soT" 

I  Hen;  ends  the  Ulshoeffer  iMenioraiida.  | 

Mr.  UL^hoetrer's  iiopliew,  Rose,  who  "  is  atlemocratof  our  stamp,"  and  "breast- 
ed the  storm  of  whigijery,"  had  an  oliice,  and  his  uncle  was"  "  raised  in  the 
esteem"  of  tlie  House  of  Uishoefler.  The  crockery-man's  clerk  where  Mrs. 
Hoyt  bouo-lit  her  china,  I  know  nothing  of.  "  A  large  family  interest  was  secured 
for  the  adiniiiLstratiou"  by  pivinir  the  bntchev's  boy  a"  situation  of  small  salary."  As 
Kirk's  politics  were  endorsed  by  "  iirvant  andmvself,"'  after  daily  discourses  at 
the  bureau  of  tlie  Po.st,  he  kept  in  the'saddle.  Whether  the  Israelite,  Drevfous, 
was  transferred  to  tin!  Freiicli  tloor  I  have  not  heard— but  it  is  very  probable,  as 
"  his  polilics  were  (hrida//:/  demoeratic."'  W.  J.  Bogus,  tho'  •'  thoroughly  demo- 
cratic," was  no  favorite.     Hiiri  he  turned  over  to  Coddington. 

James  Westerveit,  the  weigher,  was  reported  to  be  "  throughly  loco foco"— and 
was  retained. 

I  do  not  know  the  man,  but  by  reference  to  Mr.  Revburn,  President  of  the  St. 
Patrick's  Society,  N.  Y.'s  evidence  before  the  Commission,  July  9,  1841,  pa^e 
638,  No.  212  Congress  documents,  it  will  appear  that  this  Westerveit,  not  content 
with  $  1500  easily  earned  from  government,  mulcted  the  merchants  heavily  where 
he  liad  the  chance.  If  the  law  gives  a  measurer  or  weigher  a  certain  number  of 
days  to  make  returns  to  the  Custom  House,  and  the  merchant  wishes  sooner  to 
learn  the  weight  or  measure,  as  often  hapjiens,  he  must  pay  a  heavy  bribe,  com- 
pensation, or  fee  (call  it  what  you  will)  for  the  information.  "Mr.  Reyburn  received 
about  98  tons  of  iron  by  a  CTlasgow  vessel— asked  Westerveit  for  a  copy  of  his  return 
of  the  weight,  and  obtained  it  on  paying  a  few  cents  less  than  twenty  dollars!  I 
could  have  made  a  copy  in  about  as  many  minutes,  if  a  measurer  is  asked  for  a 
copy  of  the  weight  of  a  quantity  of  coal,  the  by-fee  is  $  5.  Well  may  Mr.  R.  ex- 
claim that  this  is  "very  demoralizing!"  Why,  there  is  no  more  use  for  17 
measurers  at  $  1500  a  year  each,  nor  for  any  one  of  them,  than  there  is  for  17 
chaplains  to  read  morning  prayers  in  the  barge  office — it  is  merely  a  poor  pretext 
for  rewarding  17  MacGees,  Wcstervelts,  Purdys,  Spicers,  and  Ogsburys—"  active 
politicians,"  or  their  friends.  Secretary  Ewing  or  Forward,  reported  in  favor  of 
abolishing  these  sinecures,  but  the  difficulties  in  Mr.  Tyler's  cabinet  caused  his 
resignation.  Mr.  Walker's  forte  would  rather  lie  in  increasing  swc/t  patronage  than 
lessening  it. 

'J'iie  family  of  UlsboefTer,  as  has  been  seen,  kept  one  eye  steadily  fixed  on  their 
own  interest.  Jeromus  Johnson,  member  of  Congress,  Appraiser,  and  "  democrat 
of  our  stamp,"  did  not  seriously  differ  from  them  in  his  views  of  Custom  House 
Republicanism. 

Jeromus  Johnson  was  a  sort  of  a  pillar  in  Tammany.  I  think  I  remember  him 
as  a  legislator  on  "  the  regular"  ticket  as  far  back  as  I^IQ.  In  1822  he  was  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  of  the  Assembly  to  which  Ui.'  North  River  and  Fulton 
Bank  charters  were  referred— but  whether  he  approved  of  the  Commissioners  who 
gave  Alderman  Rathbons  $500,000  in  stock,  by  which  h«  cleared  $74,000  with- 


out much  outh 
very.  Mr.  Vj 
jiraiser's  office 
Jeromus  vote  ,< 
bait — was  in  d 
and  signed  the 
nouiiced  tho  pr 
charge  of  their 
offices  at  home 
collei5tion  of  tl 
1829  to  1811  is 
the  deposits  to 
secretary.  " ) 
the  president, 
you  know,"  an 
and  retire?"  w, 
in  a  present  to 
die  supple  Tan 
Jeromus  Joii 
sign  appraisemi 
in  such  a  setoff 
Johnson  had  be^ 
N.  Y.P  0.,C 
and  active  poiiti 

"New  York, 
Sir — Mr.  Jan 

station  in  our  ( 

ment. 
I  fully  coneui 
"  Mr.  Mauric 

lo  Gen.  Jacksor 


Here  is  anoth 

New  York 

^i^ned  subscribe 

one  of  the  Custo 

him  too  alhom/s  1 

M.  I 
H.  1 
WII 

Immediately  b 
iheet  and  page  oj 

"  Dear  Sir— V 
for  offices  in  the 
IT  MAY  ESCA 
IS  A  NEPHEA 
Ward,  was  a  can 
son's  friends — w 
VACANCY  A] 
would  give  him  a 

The  Meseroles 
also  wanted  his  3- 
transactions. 
_In_1838,  Jerotn 

*  .See  E.vecutlve  Doi 


of  the  Evening 
nowii  to  Bryai't 

or  in  the  Public 

enable  him  (or. 

■Jtirs,  andmah. 

icatiijii.    In  ihis 

Icrforod  in  your 
)x  of  service  in 

ITER,  (weigher.) 
t  fur  liim  ! 
to  that  effcc- 

iiis  advocate  for 
■il  is  Mr.  Hoyi; 

emoved  witlioui 

good  pecuniary 
iver  alleadd  our 


i,  he  ouchl  to  be 
I  :i;iy  so," 


nd  "  breast- 
lised  in  the 
IV here  Mrs. 
was  secured 
;alary."  As 
liscourses  at 
!,  Dreyfous, 
prcibable,  as 
ighly  denio- 

foco" — and 

of  the  St. 

1841,  page 

not  content 
avily  where 
I  number  of 
3  sooner  to 
bribe,  com- 
trn  received 
f  bis  return 
dollars!  I 
asked  for  a 

Mr.  R.  ex- 
use  for  1/ 
re  is  for  17 
oor  pretext 
■s — "  active 

in  favor  of 
caused  his 
ronage  than 

ed  on  their 
"  democrat 
itom  House 

lember  him 
!  was  chair- 
md  Fulton 
sioners  who 
4,000  with- 


'  OLD  AND  ACTIVE  '—MY  NEPHEW  AFTER  YOUR  RELATIVES.  81 

v!.n"'"Mr°"v.?^lJ  ''"'f  *'°''^?"'"-     ^  presume  he  did,  for  he  is  a  rotten  reed- 

1900  tr.  >flii  ;„  „         u  .     "   (.-iiiuuery  wixn  wnicn  such  bribes  were  piven  frnm 
Jeromus  Johnson  was  not  of  thp  Duanp  «oKr>„i     u„  u  ""'«"• 

«.»n  ,„  o„  C„s.,„„  H„>„e,  and   .  w„„h,  of  THE  pSoN^I^f!'.' '™e'„! 

I  MIy  ™nc„,  i„  ,he  above.  '^-  '^-  ''4"Bfi?^,<^; 

,.«e'?SZ  "  '  "'''"'"^^  "'  '''  »'-  »!■»»'.  »"■'  «  «va,7akf  l1o"*L„d 
JEROMUS  JOHNSON-JOHN  HILLYEE-M.  M.  NOAH. 


Here,  is  another  wonderful  document 

H    FCKFOR^  JEREMIAH  DODGE, 

WILLUM  ll'cOE,  •'^^^^^^  JOHNSON." 


J:::' fate  of  fa;:!"''  ''  ^'^  '""''-'"^  '•^  --^  -™-  -quest,  on  the  son. 

for"oSrs  fn  tre'^i;:."ho'Te'de;:r^^^^  Z''''  "  ---"V^P^-^'"- 

IT  MAY  ESCAPE  TOUR  MSoRTTirr  Mi'^'"Bo  ^'^^  ^^AR 

IS  A  NEPHEW  OF  MINF      H^f  h.:,,;    V^  ^'^;  ABRAHAM  MESEROLE 

Ward,  was  a  carld.date  ^r  fho  "offi^^'S     suntne'd^b'^'"  ^''^'™'"  °^  '""^  '^'^ 
"'on'8  friends-would   take   it  1?^    nil  i^  V^^  r    "^  ''^'  ^  ^^^?^  P^^'^'°"  "f  Jack- 

VACANCY  A^TER tESEMBEffi^'YoUR^kEKm^^^^  ^ 

would  gtve  h.m  a  commtssion,     Yours  tn^,    ^°^^  jSroMUS  f okfs'oN  '^°" 

_In^l838,  Jeromus  was  a  director  of  the  Bank  of  America,  with  John  Targee,  &c. 

*  See  Executive  Doc.  No.^212  H.  of  R.  2nh  Cong,  2d  Se«s.  pages  233-31. 


82 


LE  FOY  NOMINATES  MAUCY  ! — PURDY  S  I'ROCLAMATIONS. 


This  pot  bank,  early  in  1831,  liatl  $3()!t.000  in  specie,  and  its  needy  or  greedy 
guardians,  thy  dirfcKirs  had  bDriowcd  $  130,000  of  its  funds,  which,  at  3  per  cent. 
a  month,  would  bring  them  !?  150,000  and  more  yearly. 

Courteous  reader— had  you  been  at  the  "  Demoeralic"  stale  convention  held  in 
the  Presbyterian  (Jliurch,  Syracuse,  in  Sept.  1H3(),  to  nominate  Martin  \  an  ikrcn, 
and  W.  L.  Marcy ,  as  President  and  Governor,  ( "olli  ctor  iiawrence,  as  State  Elector, 
&c.,  you  would  have  beheld  as  the  Now  York  Custom  House  representation,  Wat- 
son E.  Lawrence,  Rlijah  F.  Purdy,  Charles  P.  Clinch,  and  Ahiahani  Le  Foy,  the 
old  auctioneer.  Anil  vou  would  have  seen  Governor  Marcy  proposed  for  re-election 
by  Abraham  himself,  direct  from  ihe  barge  olFice.  He  was  iiired  for  tins  sort  of 
work.  Do  Witt  Clinton's  Chair  at  Albany  occupied  by  tlie  nominee  of  a  New  York 
Custom  House  Officer  !    Friends  of  Slate  rights  where  are  yel 

New  York,  31  March  1829. 

Samuel  Swnrtwout,  Esq.  Respected  Sir— Presuming  tliat  changes  will  be  made  in 
the  Custom  House  Department,  I  take  this  opportunity  of  offering  myself  as  a  candi- 
date for  the  office  of  Inspector  of  the  Customs.  As  to  my  moral  and  political  char- 
acter, as  well  as  to  claims  and  capability,  I  beg  leave,  Sir,  to  refer  you  to,  Mr.  John 
A.  Hardcnbrook,  Judge  Ilerttell,  Gen.  Bogardus,  Col.  John  L.  Graham,  Col.  Wm.  L. 
Morris,  Hon.  C.  P.  White,  whose  recommendations  I  car  obtain,  together  with  a  ma- 
jority of  the  Jackson  members  of  the  Common  Council.  If  appointments  are  to  he 
made  in  reference  to  POLITICAL  SERVICES  (especially  to  the  Clinton  and  Jackson 
cause)  and  per.sonal  AND  FAMILY  considerations,  I  think  I  can  satisfy  Mr.  Swait- 
wout,  that  lam  not  dcticient  in  either  qualification.  I  presume  that  Mr.  Swartwout  is 
aware  that  Henry  Abel  and  Abraham  Bowdhic,  both  Custom  House  Insp.,  are  mere 
shadows  of  John  targee.  ABRAHAM  LE  FOY. 

Mr.  Cornelius  W.  Lawrence's  course  in  the  Custom  House,  may  be  guessed  from 
the  fads  .stated  in  this  volume.  He  may^talk  "  Jeffi^rson,"  but  he'll  out-Herod 
Herod  in  the  way  of  polilical  corruption.     See  if  he  don't ! 

In  a  letter  signed  by  Cornelius  W.  Lawrence,  Thos.  Hcrttell,  John  Lorimer 
Graham,  and  George  D.  Strong,  addressed  to  S.  Swartwout,  and  dated  8th  Dec. 
1834,  at  N  Y.— they  sav— 

"  Mr.  Le  Foy  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  been  an  active,  zealous,  and 
efficient  advocate  of  denioeratu!  principles,  and  has  very  materially  aided  in  sustain- 
ing the  present  administration,  and  we  believe  that  no  individual  who  has  been 
selected  as  an  Inspector  of  the  Customs  has  presented  stronger  personal  or  political 
claims  to  your  favorable  notice." 

That  honest  and  staidi/  patriot,  Wm.  M.  Price,  pr,ri/pged  to  plead  for  the  op- 
pressed, according  to  law,  thi's  adds  his  testimony,  (Dec.  10,  1831.) 

"  I  am  not  acquainted  with  any  individual  who^  presents  stronger  personal  and 
■political  claims  to  your  consideration  than  Mr.  Le  Foy. 

His  appointment  won  d  affi)rd  great  gratification  to  a  great  number  of  your  per- 
sonal and  polilical  friends,  and  confer  an  especial  favor  on  yours  truly, 

'  WILLIAM.  M    PRICE. 

The  N.  Y.  Morning  News  is  edited  by  J.  L.  O'Sullivan,  and  the  establishment 
is  upheld  as  the  moutli-piece  of  Messrs.  Purdy,  Lawrence,  Bowne,  Allen,  Wet- 
more,  and  the  "regular"  Tammany  Hall  clique,  who  issue  their  mandates  offi- 
cially, over  the  I'dTtorial  head.  It  presented  the  ludicrous  appearance_,  not  long 
since,  of  Tammany  Hall  proclamations,  signed  by  Purdy,  the  Custom  House  bur- 
veyor,  as  Chairman  of  lh(>  political  club  at  that  tavern  ;  and  immediately  under,  in 
the  very  same  column,  the  most  spiteful  attacks  on  Mr.  A'an  Ness,  then  collector 
for  KJ'interfering  in  jnditics !  tt  •  i.    • 

"The  removal  of  Mr.  Yan  Ness,"  say  the  Tammany  Hall  Committee,  thro 
the  News  of  June  26th,  IH-l.-),  was  "  an  act  of  self-ilefence  against  a  long  course 
of  insolent,  corrupt,  and  aggressive  interference  on  the  part  of  the  Custom  House 
in  all  our  local  politics.'"  The  reader  will  already  have  aeen  that  a  New  lork 
Collector  is  a  political  agent  of  the  powers  at  Washington,  placed  m  the  Custom 
House  at  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  carrying  all  elections  in  that  vast 
Commercial  Capital,  whether  (Jitv,  State,  or  federal,  for  the  party  of  which  Ins  em- 
ployers are  the  leaders.  And  yet  Messrs.  Wotmore,  Butler,  Bowne,  Purdy. 
O'Sullivan  &  Co.,  in  the  above  manifesto,  justify  Mr.  \  an  Ness's  removal,  and 
the  appoiutmeiit  of  the  Old  Auctioneer,  Lawrence,  on  the  score  ot  political  med 
dling. 


SWAR 

In  the  same 

blinker,  with  s 

Sauinei  Swart' 

Mire  on  A ndre' 

Pri-ident  Van 

The  history  ( 

country,  seize  i 

pm|)irc.  more   I 

triiii,  disgrace. 

known,     Saimi 

■  -iispiracy  time 

Wilkinson  (f  q 

;it  Richmond,  t 

ally  cniicerned 

General  W. 

toclip.s.  on  the  i 

ton  of  N.  J.  nil 

.'\[;itthias  Ogde 

Ciis  ling,  who  \ 

minutes.  Mr.  S 

he  said  ho  was 

w!is  pioduced  b 

Burr,  dat(!d  at  I 

kinson  adverted 

intelligence,  \vh 

merous  and  po\ 

was  aiiout  to  Ic 

ajainst  the  Mex 

protection  woulc 

and  General  Da 

also  covered  a  Ic 

to  him  (Wilkins 

and  your  assoei; 

Col.  T.  H.  C, 

letters  by  the  Gc 

Dayton's  autogr 

On  the  26th  o: 

leans  to  the  lead 

vere  partico  to  a 

appointments  in  ( 

Malison,  and  the 

The  newspape 

thus  testifying,  h 

Wilkinson  rei)lie 

he  posted  him  as 

Major  Morgan 

these  days.     He 

tics.     Neville  an 

nil  the   Swartwd 

New  York,  in  D^ 

Jackson  meeting 

ynd   a  hcTO,"  ;u 

nqihew,  S.  L.  C 

place-hunters  do 

it— carried  ofl'  o: 

is  now  said   to  b( 

fault — he  was  toe 

nther  incapable  oi 

kept  out  of  the  w 

ought  never  to  h 

over,  by  collusioi 

only  acting  the  po 


SWARTWOUT's  connection  with  AARON  BURR— WILKINSON.  83 

In  tlic  same  paper  they  accuse  his  broth.-r.  General  Van  Ness,  the  Washington 
biiiiker  with  supp.)rMi.<T  Burr.  Was  not  Mr.  Van  Uuren,  Burr's  clerk'  Was  not 
>:mnicl  .Swurt  wout,  Biirr-is  ajreiit '  Is  ii,.i  the  reflection  on  Gov.  Van  Ness  a  cen- 
s.irr,m  .\n(irf.w.I;»-k.>son  for  appointing  Swartwout,  knowing  that  fact,  and  on 
l-r,  -i.i.Mit  \  an  JJurcii  lor  continninff  hiin  a  twelve  mm  th  after  his  accession  ' 

Ihe  liist()ry  of  Col.  Burr's  attempt  to  dismemher  the  Union,  levy  war  ao-ainst  his 
country,  seize  cert;iin  forei-r,,  p„„.  ^sions,  and  found  in  the  .South  and  West  a  new 
rmpirc more  friendly  to  J^iLrland  than  to  his  own  free  home,  is  not  new  His 
iri;.l,  dis!,rrape.  solf-banisjnnent,  and  retirement  from  political  life,  are  facts  well 
l;nown.  .Siimmd  Swartwout,  who,  with  Erick  Bollman,  was  arrested  in  the  Burr 
•mspiracy  times,  for  lu^h-treason.  was  a  steady  follower  of  Burr-and  General 
\\  1  kinsmi  (!  quote  the  Richmond  P^nquirer  of  Sept.  1807)  testified  on  Burr's  trial 
;it  Richmond,  that  Mr.  >Swartwout,  then  a  bold,  manlv,  athletic  youth,  was  actu- 
nliy  cniicerned  in  the  plot.  ' 

General  W.  swor(!  that  Swartwout  had  called   at  his  head  nuarfers,  at  Natchi- 
.uclio«.  on  the  8th  of  Oct.  18(.fi,  -vilh  a  letter  of  introduction  fVom  Jonathan  Day- 

T.?.        A    i""'  "';''    "■  *''"•"  '"^  ''■"'  '''^""  '"  company  with  Peter  V.  a  son  of 
ilaHhias  Osrdcn,  wlio  h;id  proceeded  onward  to  New  Orleans.     Colonel   T    H 
Cns  anff,  who  was  with  (Jeneral  W.  when  Mr.  S.  arrived,  ha vinjj  retired  for  a"few 
minutes    Mr.  Swartwout  slipped  trom   his  side  pocket,  a  letter  and  packet  which 
hn  said  fio  was  charged  hy  Colonel  Burr  to  deliver  to  him  (Gen'l  W.)     The  letter 
wns  1"«'  U'-c'l  l>v  Gen'l  W.,  and  was  a  formal  introduction  .,f  Swartwout  hv  Aaron 
iiirr,  dated  at  Philadelphia  in  .July.    The  secret  communication  from  Burr  to  Wil- 
kiiison  adverted  to  the  intended  expedition,  and  referred  to  Swartwout  for  further 
uitelhgence    who  [said  Gen'l  W.,J   stated  "that  Col.  Burr,  supported  by  a  nu- 
merous and  powerful  association,  extending-   from  New    York   to   New   Orleans 
was  aiioiit  to  levy  an  armed  force  of  7000  men,  with  a  view  to   -arry  an  expediticm' 
aaainst  the  Mexican  provinces  "—that  New  Orleans  was  to  be  seized—"  that  naval 
protection  ^yould  be  had  from  Great  Britain— that  he  (S.)   was  to  meet  Col    Burr 
:.n.l  Genera    Dayton  at  N.\SHVILLE,  on  the  20th  of  N^v.,"  &c.     Tlie  envelope 
alsncovered  a  letter  to  John  Peters,  Nashville,  and  a  letter  from  General  Dayton 
to  linn  (Wilkinson),  also  partly  in  cypher,  asking  "  Are  you  ready?     Are  you 
and  your  associates  ready '-Wealth  and  Glory,  Louisiana  and  Mexico,"  &c. 
I.,,      1     i     Pushing  of  the  2d  U.  S.  Infantry,  deposed  that  he  was  shown  these 
Iptters  by  the  General   the  morninn;  after  Mr.  S.  arrived.     As  to  Messrs.  Burr  and 
iJavton  s  autocrnaphs  there  could  at  least  be  no  mistake— they  were  well  known 

On  the  26th  of  Dec,  previous  to  the  trial,  Gen'l  W.  made  affidavit  at  New  Or- 
leans to  the  leading  tacts,  and  swore  that  he  believed  that  Swartwout  and  Ocden 
vere  parties  to  an  insurrection  aorainst  the  laws  of  the  U.  S.— and  the  General's 
apnointments  in  Canada,  &c.,  afterwards,  are  the  best  possible  proofs  that  Jefferson, 
Ma  hson,  and  their  friends  in  Va.  fully  believed  him.  ' 

The  newspapers  of  N.  Y.  reported  that  Mr.  S.  had  assassinated  the  General  for 
tluis  testifying  but  he  was  too  brave  to  do  that.  He  challenged  him,  and  when 
Wilkinson  replied  "  that  he  held  no  correspondence  with  Traitors  or  Conspirators  " 
lie  posted  him  as  a //-rW/erous,  perjured  poltroon.  ' 

Major  Morgan  Neville,  of  Cincinnati,  the  bosom  friend  of  S.,  was  a  Burr  man  in 
hcse  (hiys  He  married  a  niece  of  Capt.  Heth  of  Richmond,  one  of  Burr's  securi- 
ties JNeville  and  Swartwout  and  Andrew  Jackson  were  early  friends.  Last  war 
all  the  Swartw()uts  fought  well.  Samuel  married  Miss  Alice  Ann  Cooper,  in 
ul  "'''  "•  """^  '■'  [^!f-  "'^  ^^'"^  ^  primitive  Jacksonian,  and  called  the  first 
Jackson  meeing  ever  held  at  Tammany.  He  toasted  Jackson  as  "  an  lionesi  man 
aiul  a  hero,  adroitly  secured  the  interest  of  Ex-President  Monroe  and  of  his 
"piiew,  to.  L.  Gouverneur— kept  his  eye  steady  on  the  Collectorshio,  as  lesser 
place-hunters  do  on  lesser  offices-talked  of  patriotism  and  thought  ol' place-got 
t-carned  oil  or  allowed  to  be  embezzled,  a  million  and  a  quarter  of  dollars,  and 
b  now  said  to  be  very  poor  When  Hull  was  employed,  government  were  at 
lailt-he  was  t"o  old  Had  he  been  shot  after  trial,  as  justly  sentenced  to  be, 
other  incapable  or  feeble  officers,  who  did  much  mischief  last  war,  would  have  been 
Kep  out  of  the  way.  So  with  Swartwout.  A  ruined  speculator  and  his  comrades 
ought  never  to  have  had  the  Customs— nor  ought  his  crimes  to  have  been  passed 
over,  by  collusion,  as  they  were.  He  was  keen  and  knowing,  and.  two  to  one  ia 
oiijy  actinia  the  poor  bnnkrupt. 


84      SWAETWOUT,  MASON,  AND   THE  CUSTOM    HOUSE,  SETTLING  TEXAS. 


TEXAS 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Swartwovt  and  Tctos — How  Texas  got  settled.  John  Y.  Mason''s  speculations.  A 
Swarttvout  memoir  suggested.  Swartwout  and  Von  Burrn.  Tammany  Hall  and 
Van  Ness.  Inspectors  sent  from  Albany.  Corrupt  political  appointments — /.  M. 
Wheeler,  <^c.     The  Custom  House  Dican.    Old  Job  Furman.     Surveyor  Attwood. 

Major  Swartwout  was  a  shrewd,  artful  man,  and  as  he  had  got  a  powerful 
position  by  ministering  to  the  great  man  ahove  him — he  resolved  to  keep  it  by 
studying  his  humor.  That  Jackson  was  resolved  to  have  Texas,  and  not  ill- 
dit.po8ed  to  receive  a  still  larger  slice  of  Mexico,  he  knew  far  better  than  his  neigh- 
bors— and  having  no  mcmey  of  his  own,  he  applied  that  of  the  public  to  the  settle- 
ment of  Texas.  In  due  time  much  more  will  he  brought  to  light — meantime  the 
following  letters  will  speak  for  themselves — they  need  no  comment : 

Collector  Swartwout,  New  York,  to  Col.  Fiost  Thorn,  Nacogdoches,  Texas. 

New  York.  November  11,  1835. 

Dear  Sir — General  John  Y.  Mason,  has  been  requested,  hy  me,  to  deposit  with 
you  a  certificate  or  grant  of  eleven  leagues  of  land  in  texas,  which  I  pur- 
chased from  him,  and  which  he  has  kindly  agreed  to  procure  to  be  recordtd  at 
Nacogdoches,  and  get  the  commissioner  to  name  a  surveyor  for.  I  have  also  given 
James  Morgan  a  letter  or  order  to  receive  the  same,  which  order  I  will  thank  you  to 
honor  on  presentation,  as  Mr.  Morgan  is  to  locate  the  same  for  me,  and  is  a  citizen 
of  Texas." 


Collector  Swartwout,  New  York,  to  Col.  Frost  Thorn,  Nacogdoches,  Texas. 

New  York,  11  February,  1836. 

My  Dear  Sir — I  received  a  draft  from  you  yesterday  for  1000  dollars  at  60  days, 
which  was  promptly  accepted,  but  there  was  no  letter  of  advice  accompan}ing  it. 
This  I  regret,  as  I  do  not  know  what  it  is  for,  although  I  presume  it  is  intended  for 
the  Texian  cause.  If  so,  please  to  inform  me  by  return  post — General  Mason  leaves 
this  for  Nacogdoches  tomorrow  morning.  He  goes  on  for  the  purpose  of  locating 
his  grants,  I  have  requested  him  to  .speak  to  you  about  Carahalls  business,  about 
which  I  will  thank  you  to  write  me  ;  I  have  paid  your  third  draft,  or  rather  my  third 
note  due  28th  January.  My  interests  are  now  very  large  in  Texas,  and  I  pray  you 
to  do  all  you  can  to  sustain  Mason.  You  must  not  forget  that  we  who  have  hitherto 
purchased  and  paid  for  our  lands  were  in  a  great  degree,  the  cause  of  your  getting 
so  many  gallanl  men  into  your  country.  I  received  a  newspaper  of  your  place  of 
the  2d  January,  this  morning,  and  thank  you  for  it.  We  all  feel  that  Texas  is  now 
Independent.  But  Tiy  dear  sir,  do  not  let  your  new  government  run  into  extrava 
gancies,  let  them  confirm  all  the  land  grants,  and  it  will  give  confidence  to  those 
who  may  become  purchasers,  or  residents  hereafter.  Let  them  decree  that  holders 
in  the  states  shall  have  their  rights  preserved,  and  they  will  increase  the  value  of 
their  public  domain.  Let  them  also  authorize  foreigners  or  people  in  the  states  and 
in  Europe,  to  hold  real  estate  as  if  they  were  on  the  soil.  Nothing  would  so  far 
give  character  to  your  country. 

As  you  are  an  old  and  respected  citizen,  your  advice  ought  to  have  weight. 
Therefore  speak. 

Do  my  dear  friend  let  me  hear  from  you  what  is  my  atogue  noio  worth,  that  is 
when  you  shall  have  made  and  maintained  your  independence?  Write  me  all  about 
that  and  other  matters — 

Believe  me  very  sincerely  yours,  SAMUE^,  SWARTWOUl; 


As  far  as  I  can  learn  their  early  history,  the  brotherrs  owmv,  vvout  began  life  as 
working  painters.  They  kept  an  oil,  paint,  and  dye-stufl' ito.-  mi  New  York,  at  tlie 
commencement  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  behaved  very  well  iii  that  contest.  Their 
biograpiiy — the  good  and  the  bad  of  it — if  they  would  entrust  their  papers  to  some 
able  and  discreet  friend — would  he  a  very  interesting,  curious,  and  pleasant  volume. 
Of  life,  they  tasted  much  of  the  bitterness — much  of  its  sweets — the  romance  and 
the  sad  reality — the  pains  and  the  pleasures.     Look  at  S.  Swartwout's  letter  to 


Hoyt,  of  March, 
to  the  p\iblic  as 
Texas  has  do 
upheld  Swartwe 
mouth  of  every 
few  (•;  Mr.  Van 
particular  localii 
Mr.  Van  Bure 
1829,  but  Swart 
long.  A  lautua 
play  into  each  ot 
follis  began  to  . 
-Vext  year  Swa 

■'a  d d  com 

politely  invited  t 

Messrs.  Lawr 
far  more  aifectioi 
in  the  number  of 
less  number  of  Ik 
during  those  ho 
employed,  we  su 
a  S(unewhat  supe 
sition  into  the  re] 

"  There  will  i; 
tions,"  said  a  c 
"  Those  who  do 

John  W.  Whe 
moved  by  Mr.  Cu 
t;on  to  Swartwou 
13th  ward.  The 
service  to  the  par 
ONE  OF  THE  I 
in  support  of  Gen 

If  such  appoint 
this  the  John  W. 

♦There  was  pvidenti 
Kerency  as  early  as  IS; 
ifL'  liberal  in  their  let 
i!iui  <M  places.  On  iti 
Ji:s  ■■  niii.si  fivoralilecn 
iiirly  (Ipsiral)le  at  this  1 
l.i.-'diaractcr~''His«<6 
OKISclm,,!/' 

Mr.  Alioniey  Ccnera 

'  Simnel  Swartwout 
<-'spi.  Whipple,  and  a3  I 

Albany,  March  Zln\, 

OfcnuriSB,  S.  S.  coulil 
Jul.v  m.slalleil  its  Inapec 
the(lepartini.iit,  for  wh 
Altaiiy,  had  d(uihtle.ss 
'"'iijii?Uini  the  verh  "1 

*  "  Vfi^  liivo  seen,"  c 
'"Pfiiilant  fir  hrcad  nn 
!'"isiWi'  impoachnicnt.  ( 
"f  appointed,  both  of  V 
up  from  the  polhoiise,  i 
ever  beiore  lieen  known, 
an  lii.-'pcclor  on  hoard,  \ 
Ifwych  him,  while  he 

rill'  scum  of  society, 
nnL'  '—the  notorious  in 
' '  lliiMn  have  been  muvi 
'■"'-■.'■  desired  wa~  the  ren 
'■"iiiniaiid  of  -MiieorrMn 
'»M->a  in  Ohi...  New  ^ 
organized  Van  Burenisiii 


TEXAS,  TARGEE,  J.  VAN  BUREN— GOVR.  VAN  NESS  SLANDERED.    85 

Hoyt,  of  March   1829.     He  would  be  the  man  for  a  family  biographer-if  as  candid 
to  the  p\ib]ic  as  he  was  there  to  Jesse.  ^  ^-annui 

Texas  has  done  more  for  northern  politicians  than  people  are  aware  of  It 
uphe  d  fewartwout-raised  Lawre.ice,  Morris,  Marey,  Ritchie  &c  -and  is  in  thp 
mouth  of  every  office-beggar  of  note  who  enters  ^^Uiu7on,iL  a,d  ex  ept  a 
^i::.i:Moi5".S:^^"^  n,lks,  who  went  on  t'other  tac^o  ktch  votes  iHK 

tso^K^'^^"?"*  ^"''^  *°  "?  ""^  "f  h'«  creat  .-es  into  the  Custom  House  in 
m,  but  hwartwout  outgeneraled  him-this  caused  a  coolness,  but  itTlid  n  last 
Ion..  ..  lauttial  friend  persuaded  them  to  dine  with  him,  bury  the  hatclie  and 
p  ay  into  each  other's  hands.  They  did  so-and  after  tha  John  Targeo  and  Ins 
lolks  began  to  have  an  influence  and  get  their  friends  appointed  to  smgbert 
Next  year  Swartwout  got  mad  at  Van  Buren.  quarreled  with  and  "lied  im 
..ad— d  contemptible,  little  monkey"-nll  ol'  which  the  latter  fo  gave  and 
politely  invited  the  former  to  serve  out  his  term  lorgave  and 

Messrs.  Lawrence,  Wctmore,  Purdy,  O'Sullivan,  &c.,  seem  to  have  cherished 
far  more  alTection  for  Hoyt  and  Swartnout  than  for  \'an  Ness,  of  w  om  tt^  sav 
in  the  number  u  the  News  I  have  quoted,  that  "  when  in  town  he  s3s  a  much 
ess  number  of  hours  in  his  office  than  any  of  his  predecessors  have  dine     and  tS 
during  t^iose  hours  he   is  with  much  difficulty  accessible  to   merchanis-bus  jv 
employed,  we  suppose,  in  turning  round  and  ro^•;nd  the  wheel  of  appo  n"ment.-h^ 
asomewhat  superfluous  regulation  of  the  politics  of  a  ward-or  a  menadng  inru 
sition  into  the  reported  disaffi^ction  of  a  tremblin-  inferior. "  +         '"^"^'^'"^  '"''"'- 
1  here  will  not  be  very  many  changes  in  the  Custom  House  till  the  fall  elcc- 
ons,     said  a  confidential  friend  of  Mr.   Lawrence,  to  me,  a  few  days  since 
Tr  w'''?,rt  '^r'  ^"'>'  ^'"-^"  ^''"  assuredly  not  be  forgotten."  ^ 

John  W.  Wheeler,  an  Inspector  under  Messrs.  Hoyt  and  Swartwout  wis  re 
moved  by  Mr   Curtis.     Mr.  Van  Ness  reinstated  him.     His  o^  reSmmenSa 

S  wal""?hev  S  ^'h'"  C  17',°'"  ^?r"  ^"^.  l"'^  colleague,^.s  aldeTrn  of  the 
vice  to  "the  narlv''         H   Collector  to    '  plaee   him  ir.  .  situation  to  render  much 

insupport  of  Generic!  Jackson  and  the  State."  VVAKU, 

If  such  appointments  as  this  are  not  treason  against  society,  what  can  be-!     Is 

thi^the  John  W.  Wheeler  who  voted  in  1835  for  Dr.  Rock/ell's  motion  at  Tarn! 

Mr.  Attorney  ':'-:,ioral  Van  Buren  thus  endorses  Vl'hipple  on  the  same  sheet  • 

Albany,  March  23rd   1836"  »oms  truly,  J.  VA.\  BUREN. 


86 


AMERICAN  FREEDOM  sySTEMATICALLY  UNDERMINED. 


many  Hall,  denouncinfr  Wm.  Leggett  and  proscribing  the  New  York  Evenin? 
Post?* 

Duly  endorsed  as  "  a  warm  supporter,"  by  M.  M.  Quackenboss,  one  of  ihp 
Collector's  bail,  Mr.  McCorkell  comes  forward  to  be  recompensed  for  his  "  sacri- 
fice of  time  and  money."  $1095  a  year,  and  perquisites,  are  my  price,  quotli 
Mr.  McCorkell. 

"  To  S.  Svvartwout,  Esq.  April  13,  1829. 

Sir — Having  alwavs  been  a  Republican,  and,  having  zeal()u."*lv  advocated  the 
Election  of  Andrew  .lackson  to  the  Presidency — for  the  advancement  of  ic/nch  ! 
liave  made  much  sacrifice  of  time  and  monn/ — I  feel  myself  entitled  to  present  m-i 
claim.i  before  you,  confident  that  you  will  do  justice  lo  me,  (tliough  but  an  humble 
individual,)  who  have  worked  in  the  same  good  cause  in  which  you  have  acted  so 
conspicuous  ar.d  successful  a  part. 

I  ask  rcspectfullv  to  \w  appointed  one  of  the  Inspectors  of  the  Customs  for  this 
port"— &c.  "  CHARLES  McDERMOT." 

John  Morris,  "  an  ardent  and  capable  politician,"  applied  for  his  share  of  the 
spoils  to  Collector  Swartwout,  in  1831,  immediately  after  the  close  of  his  (Mor- 
ris's) political  exertions  at  the  fall  election  of  that  year.  He  was  recommended  by 
the  siufnalures  of  John  Yates  Cebra,  Daniel  Jackson,  C.  P.  White,  Cha's  Henry 
Hall,  Walter  Bownc,  and  Jeromus  Johnson.  Alderiiian  Cebra  wrote  his  friend 
Swartwout  as  follows  ; — "  New  York,  Nov.  21,  1831. — Mr.  Morris  has  for  sev- 
eral years  been  one  of  our  most  active  and  efficient  Jackson  republicans  in  the 
first  ward— «nrf  ?,s  now  ACTIVELY  AND  ZEALOUSLY  engaged  intli  us.'"! 

*  Here  arc  inure  spt'cimeiis. 

To  S.  Ssvarlwoul.  &i:.    2i  April.  13'2'J. — "  !  have  haon  ihrou^liout  ilecidedly  Jacksonian. 

ISAAC  McC-VW  " 

"  Mr.  Isaac  McGaw.  wlio  wi.-slic^  the  place  of  Inspector,  is,  an  I  iinderatauil,  an  original  friend  of  ours. 

J.  OAKLEY." 

"  The  Targee  dviiaily  lia.-5  Ion?  eiinusli  filled  these  odice-j  with  broken-down  politicians,  kc. 

GEO,  W.  WILSON'." 

Saniiiol  Swartwout.  E'lri. — Dear  Sir — Mr.  Georie  S.  IMesaerve  of  the  11th  Ward  is  an  applicant  fur  ll;» 
appointinoiit  of  Inspector  of  Cu.slonis.  ^Ir  i\I.  ha-i  liccn  «  strong  pxi'fy  vhdi.  .nul  is  at  pre-:eot  iin  anhr; 
^ipporler  of  l/ie  present  genera/  ami  state  adtninistrotions,  ami  I  have  no  doubt  his  appointiTient  wnula 
give  seneral  satisfaction,  WALTER  BOWNE. 

New  Vork,  April  ao,  l5:3."i. 

E.ttract  from  the  .application  of  John  I,  Monreof  Flalhnsh  for  office,  dated  April  30,  l-'Sg,  (Hi.s  petiti"n 
wa,s  endorsed  hy  Ali'ni,  M.  Valcntnie,  S,  M.  Fitch,  &c.l — '  Your  petitioner  has  always  acted  witli  the  re^ 
publican  partv.  And  for  the  considerations  aforesaid  |that  and  liis  trrand-father's  patriolisinl  he  'loes 
sincerely  hope  and  trust  that  he  may  now,  I.\  SOME  MEASURE  BE  REWAHDED,  with  a  small  situation, 
by  this  just  and  enlightened  administration." 

XowYork.  29  April.  1?29. 

To  the  Collector  of  the  Port  of  New  York.— Sir— The  bearer.  Mr.  Benj.  C.  Bnrdelt,  WAS  ZEALOUSLY 
ENGAGED  IN  OUR  LATE  CONTEST,  and  deserves  t!ie  appointment  lie  so/icits,  which  I  nnder.-^iani'  toh 
that  of  an  Inspector.  I  am,  &c.  C.  C.  CAMBIIELE.NG 

[T.i  tliB  same.  I— .\cw  York.  2-2d  !\Iay  1^2il, 

"  Sir— Havim:  been  dnrinir  the  late  Presidential  contest  AN  ACTH'E  AND  ZEALOUS  FRIEND  of  Ge;; 
eralJackson.  AND  HAVING  DONE  :MY  UTMOST  in  his  support,  I  take  llielilierty  of  solicitniir  froniyi-i, 
the  appoinlnicnt  of  an  Inspector  of  tile  Customs  fir  lhi.s  city ARCH.  IMcCOUKELL." 

This  civil  request  is  favorably  endorsed  oi\  the  hack  hy  Campbell  P.  and  Robert  White.  James  McBriile, 
Ab'm.  Bell,  &  t'o.,  Oiiden,  Fer'tmson,  &  Co..  (5cc      Comment  is  surely  useless. 

t  Francis  B.  Fitch  was.  in  lf<.iCi.  a  lottery-office  keeper  in  Wall  street,  and  had  been  a  partner  of  Joiic- 
t/uin  Jiiith/ivnn.  It  .so  happencil  that  his  was  the  tir-sl  name  called  on  the  jury  on  the  first  trial  ol' 
Jacob  Barker,  Wm.  P.  Rathl)oue.  .Mark  Spencer.  Jo.-ieph  G.  Swifl.  Georire  W.  Brown,  and  their  collcasnei. 
for  a  cimspiracy  to  defraud  the  pnlilic.  in  the  matter  of  "  the  Life  and  Fire,"  Fullon  and  Tradesmeii'j 
Banks,  tec.  i\ir  iMa.xwell  objected  to  Fitch,  tlial  lie  was  iinplicntPiJ.  and  had  an  interest  contrary  to  jia 
tice,  through  his  conneclion  with  Castle  Garden.  Antoine  i\Ialapar's  Marble  Bank,  and  the  Life  and  Fik 
Company,  and  that  he  was  a  non-resident.  Triers  were  appointed.  Fitch  sworn  a  juror,  the  jury  diJiua 
airree.  (allh  lunh  the  next  jury  did)— r:.nd  the  next  we  hear  of  Fitcli  is  in  the  Bine  Book,  as  one  of  'Sh]^• 
Swartwont's  "  oria'.ilzed  corp^''  of  Inspectors,  with  e,\cellenl  "  political  nualificalions,"  as  Croswell  wimU 
say.  Jesse  Hoyi  and  B,  F.  Bntler  contended,  as  counsel  for  tlie  accused,  that  Fitch  was  the  right  serl  if 
juror— hut.  as  Collectiu' anil  District  Attorney,  these  worthy  functionaries  were  prepared  to  degrade  tlie 
whole  mercaiuiie  body  in  New  Y'ork  as  mitlt  lo  ail  as  jurors  in  the  courts  of  tiieir  country. 

As  a  spjcinien  of  the  practice  In  the  New  Y'ork  Custom  Hou.se.  let  me  refer  to  one  of  Mr.  Hoyl's  secrd 
bonks,  notin'-'  the  results  of  a  meeting  of  the  li^ails.  and  their  informers  and  advisers. 

1st  ward — .Vow  in  ollice. — W.  F.  Boyle — Fenry  Leveley.  In  the  o])position.  R.  John  Everett— cnnsf:- 
vative — with  »s  now. — (ith  ward.  Jo.s.  D.eyfoua,  '•conservative,  noir  with  us'' — "a  irreat  mistake- 
gond." — ^Sth  ward.  John  C.  Neilmlir,  cle-.it — k.  C.  Morris— both  doubtful— never  at  a  meeting  of  the  «arii 
before  the  last.  Roberts.  Newljy.  cierk.  voted  the  democratic  ticket.  John  J.  Earle.  conservative,  bm 
tfi</i  i«  now.— 9th  ward. — Jossph  Gideon    do.  do. — Win.  Cairn«s.  lukewarm.     Inaac  Bluxom*,  doublful 


An  army  of  Dcm 
if-r. — //;*  caree, 
Buren's  letters 
duces  him   in 
Eledton  Timet 

I  have  already 
moves  his  •'  org 
inL'  commentary, 
could  be  made. 
the  fivorite.  Hi 
president,  was  cc 


"  The  tendency  of  tl 

and  a  very  ohvioii.?  res 

p.rty  treasury,  out  of 

v,i.n  piuiiitiiiie  who  en 

iiics  is  notoriously  the 

Itipy  are  in;  who  scru| 

I'lher.  and  by  their  aha 

ijaiiv  to  conclude  that 

"ii'L'e,    Who  does  not ; 

iiij  ihe  character  of  a  .s 

Ci'iiiury  is  thus  corrupt 

Tlieatfairs  of  the  Go 

.    iife  is  a  glaring  and  ah; 

'i  ulalion  would  scarcely 

I   fir  Ihe  duties  of  office. 

.   an  acciiiintant.    And  t 

•   Thus  because  the  coiml 

i'lirieaed  hy  an  increa: 

liji'e,  is  10  insure  that 

Is  not  the  aboN 

last  chapters — anc 

-Mr.  Van  Buren 

his  letter  of  condc 

that  such  an  estab^ 

ernment,  was  of  ' 

exaggeration.     It 

years  before,  as  to 

of  the  State  goveri 

and  its  covetous  m 

(ration. 

'     Francis  P.  Blair 

!  ^li'v  until  1825,  w 

i"i!i  iviird,  Ed,  J,  Gross, 

'I.  B,  Campbell— /io<  tl 

i»v_GjarL'e  W.  :\ratsel 

Heiiry  C.  Attwood.    B 

M  .}!.  C.'s. 

When  the  attempt  w,a; 

"lieil  fur.  one  share  e.ach 

"liellier  he  acted  on  the 

:  ;i;  SUOj  iis  a  pension,  u 

,    Henry  C.  Attwood  key 

:  '"Vilics,  orsranizing  mobs 

'iiviirlilly  means,  and  nc 

■■iiueset  him  up  us  thei 

J'lies.  the  Whig  candidal 

'.■•ivcuir's  birth,  being  " 

•Weniian  Lee  of  the   lOt 

V'lv  Haven.     Mr.  Tyler  i 

■■•""lis,  but  the  Senate  r 

"ifiplaiiied  !iim— and  he 

i.wke  way  for  bim.     Hia 

';""M  the  family  of  the 

l;ie  lands  ofsuch  men  as 
"'  Ills  interest. 


AN  ARMY  OF  DEMAGOGUES — FRANCIS  P.  BLAIR. 


87 


ark  Eveniiiff 

one  of  the 
his  "  sacn- 
price,  quotli 


13,  1S29. 
dvocatcd  the 
It  of  tr/iich  ! 
3  present  m ; 
It  an  humble 
ave  acted  so 

oms  for  this 

:hmot." 

share  of  the 
of  his  (Mir- 
mmended  by 
Cha's  Henry 
:e  his  friend 
has  for  sev- 
icans  in  the 
ivith  us."  't 


lCMcGAW" 

ieiid  (if  ours. 
.  OAKLEY." 

:c. 

'.  WILSON'." 

pplicant  for  !'.' 
e-iem  <i>i  anh 
miiitiTiRiit  wii;.j 
'ER  BOWXE, 

I,  iHi.g  petiti-'n 
;e(l  Willi  llie  re^ 
iitisni]  he  'loes 
small  situation, 

;9  April.  1S29. 
>  ZKALOUSLY 
luilpr.-^iani'  tot? 
MBIIELENG 

:-2<I  !May  \<i%. 
KIEXD  of  Ge;; 

licitlllL'fnilTI  vnu 

;COliKELL" 

ranip.-J  Mc  Bride, 


lartner  of  Jonr.- 
10  tir.st  trial  ol 
their  collca2iie,i. 
1 1(1  Tradesmen's 
ciiiitrary  w  jiii- 
e  Life  and  i'lri" 
llie  Jury  did  it  l 
as  one  of  ^I:i;  ' 

Croswell  WdulJ 
the  riuiil  sort  if 

10  degrade  tlio 

[r.  Hoyt's  secrd 

b>erett— consfr- 
L'reat  mistake- 
iiig  of  the  n'.ini 
inaervative.  bin 
aonia,  doublfu! 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

XnannyofD^nnago^nies.    Blair  and  the  Globc-a  press  bovght  for  him  by  Noah 
t;,^/':  /Sr-    wr/Ttf^Vn'''"''''-'  ^^'^'"•^-^^^-'•^    Butler  LdTan 

I  have  already  exhibited  enough  of  the  machinerv  by  which  Mr.  Van  Buren 
moves  his  organized  corps,"  to  enable  the  reader.'to  judge  whether  the  folhiw 
:n.  commentary,  by  the  Charleston  Mercury,  is  not  o^e  ot^hf  moTapSopriate  thii 
eoiild  be  made.  In  18:^9,  Mr.  Van  Buren  reached  Washington-Mr'^E  Seeame 
ihe  fiivonte.  His  paper  came  into  existence,  as  he  s;.id,  at  the  command  oton« 
president,  was  continued  by  a  second,  and  ordered  out  of  existence  by  a  thtS!     "' 

iFroni  tlie  Charleston  Mercurv  ) 

p,,rty  tre/siiry,  o„t  of  svhich  an  army  (      Ioma"o"tes1   t(  ' h,  ,f.V'"s  I","''"  '"^'^''  S"''!"-"™"'  *'»"  "  t'rantl 
v.(.n  Piullitude  who  create  nearly  a  11  the  dis  "  (-eA  T","''  ""  ''"">',«■'"'*'«  '>n  i;»lli  .--ides  ;  a 

nics  is  notoriously  the  hone  of  o  Ic.'    X  le^^^^^^  e  ections,  and  whose  sole  interest  in  pol. 

ihnyare  in;  wlu/scruple  ,„t  in    he  n'.ce  o     lav'      r^   X^  "^'^  T  ""'  f  '''"'""'^"  '^  ^^^en 

-ihcr.  a,ul  by  their  shameless  pretensi,  ns  to      i-Liulsri,./evrv  ',■!'''  ^""'  ■""'""'  ^''"''  "'"'  •'^'''y  '"  t''" 
...iny  to  conclude  that  ail  party  contests  a  e  ( i   vT.lis'.,       L.n,^^^^^^^^  T"  '^"""^"H't.  and  lead  too 

'*c.',     Who  does  noi  .soo  that  this  i.^  h.TonV,  "  more   n     n  Li  ,r  "^     ''"''''^"  ,''''""'2"-"««  f'T  'h..-  cains  of 
iiu  Ihe  character  of  a  strife  (.f  nie  Lna    e^C  in^     VV    w^  l  n  'T'  "'"'  "''l'  ""'  ''lections  are  assum- 

.™.ry  is  thus  corrupted  and  tlie~!  ld!:?tnula,^(  ■.:     '  uliu  is'll,  Infc^"  ^""  ""  O-ernment  of  the 

.1  accuntant.    And  this  \^:^;X^^  h^l^^  a  ,  wit  c.  n  muV  M:f'^t  ^'T''''T  f""  '^'  ""''"'''  "^ 
ThiH  because  the  conntrv  i,s  tirst  wrom-eil  hv  n  tt     r   ,  I.  .        '   ' '  '"    ''•"'  '"  ."'"  "lnHiplic-alion  of  offices 
ii.oleacd  hyan  increased  e.xnens-V  as"     renii  v      T Ins   1     ,   .-|'"'™"'  !'""  '"."«'^«.,'l  '""st  1«  further 
|.::.-c,  is  to  insure  that  we  pa^  an  eiu'rnious  pHcbVor  a  ve^/ta^  '''""''    ^'"=  ^"^'ifi^'ation  lor 

Is  not  the  above   a  true  commentary  on  the  facts  I  have  condensed  in  the  two 
liist  chapters-and  if  so,  what  ought  to  be  done  about  it ' 

., ,  pitl'^'V       !f  f '^™'  '^?^  Sf  ■''  '•"  '^'^'*^  "*'  t^''"?«  '^  the  best  we  can  have      In 

s  letter  of  condolence  with  Blair  and  Rives,  dated  April  :>4lh,  1845   he  assertS 

t  such  an  estab  ishment  as  their  Globe  had  been,  at  the  seat  o     hrfederaS! 

xaggeration.     It  will  be  hereafter  seen  that  he  uttered  similar  sentiments  mnnv 

S  S.r'  "'  ''  '^''  -n^Portance  of  having  an  Argus  and  a  CrosTe  llat  the  aea^ 

ircnv.tf '"■""""*•    K""'  '"^'  P"^^  ^  '*^'"''  ^''^^  t'^e  J^°i«t  he  gave  to  the  Globe 
a^n^d..t.  covetous  managers  has,  thus  far,  been  the  best  act  of  Mr.  Polk-s  adminis- 

n?^"*:-?  Jl-^'^^irof  Kentucky  was,  like  Amos  Kendall,  a  strong  supporter  of  Mr 
J;v  until  1825,  when  he  joined  GeneralJackson.    He  was  poor^S  the  United 

ir  a;a„^;!el^^r^.i;^^!!i2  '7:!!^),    ^;^,  ';^^^  -  the  Me,^,dis,  society...-,3th  ward. 
:'u--&jo,L'e  VV.  IMatsell  (no  /einark.-.)  ''  ^'  ' '  L'*'"'?-^'"".  conservalive-!c,7/i  «s 

^^H.,rvC.  A.twood.    Hoyfs  tiote—  very  strong  papers.>>_Lovl  D.  Slanint.    J.  Lawrence  Benedict-hv 

Hoiirv  C.  Attwood  koirt  tavern   it  time   in  ffiii        ^?"  *^'^^-*  removed  hini  a  lew  nionihs  since. 

^-t":i^;;-  .ile^sS^siJdt'  ;:;^n:i';n;;^^^;"[.:!j^  !;:i:ii-.;";v^  '^^"'  ''-'"-t^ve^^^^^^;^:; 

-liiPlaiited  hini-and  he  A«rf /«  ////-l  i     m  1   ,'  t^ollc  (Ice  lined   to  renominate  liim— Aldeiinan  Piirdy 

i.wke  wav  for  hi,        H|3  i,  oil  er  1  ,f  m,         ,    •,'"r'''  "  "^"^r-  ^""''"^'  ''*''•='■""  ''''^■i'"-'  l"^*""  'li-^l'l"C((  to 

^  ';'"M  the  fam  iTof  tKtW(^.ds  c    itii  ue^  *=^^*'  ^^"'"  ""^  P^Wi-^  •■'"'i  "  e  r 

-^.,Wn,e„asni:^t.;=r^:;^^;hi^ 


88 


NOAH,  HOYT,  SWARTWOUT,  LAWRENCE,  SETTING  UP  F.  P.  BLAIR. 


States  Branch  Bank  at  Lcxini^ton,  paper  on  which  was  his  name  and  the  namm 
of  other  persons,  amounting  to  $20,7M — and  when  some  $2(K)0  had  been  paid 
on  one  oftiu!  notes,  he  was  released  for  a  fee  of  $37,  and  the  payment  of  another 
man's  ohlifjation  for  $'200.     In  1H;J0,  therefore,  he  was  insolvent. 

He  came  to  VVashiiifjfton  in  IH.'H,  without  types  or  press — received  Mr.  Van 
tiureri's  missive  to  the  leaders  of  the  party  at  New  Vork — was  set  up  in  Washini;. 
ton,  and  his  press  paid  for  by  Messrs.  Noah,  Swartwout,  Hoyt,  Bowne,  Jackson, 
Hamilton,  Gouverneur,  and  (-'ornelius  W.  Lawrence.  Richly  have  they  been  re- 
paid for  the  outlay — Mr.  Blair  speedily  rose  from  poverty  to  the  possession  ofirn. 
mensc  wealth — resided  in  a  splendid  mansion — gave  dinners  and  suppers  to  presi- 
dents, foreign  ambassadors,  cabinets  and  congressmen  in  a  style  of  oriental  mae- 
nificence — played  on  his  organ  (the  Globe)  the  party  tunes  his  employers  re- 
quired— and  no  other — where  they  enjoined  silence  he  was  mute — if  they  bade  him 
attack  vice  or  virtue — the  good  or  the  bad — he  was  ready.  No  tiger  could  be 
more  fierce — no  wolf  more  blood-thirsty.  He  could  take  any  part.  But  to 
his  keepers  he  was  tame — a  word  from  them  awed  him  into  instant  stillness 
The  Committees  of  Congress,  of  the  Van  Buren  party,  carved  out  immense  jobs- 
$  -500,000  in  the  Documentary  History  alone — the  work  of  Congress  and  the  Exec- 
utive, worth  $40,000  a  year  was  most  times  in  his  hands.  In  a  luckless  hour  he 
was  bidden  to  tell,  or  Amos  Kendall  told,  thro'  his  columns,  that  Governor  HiilV 
New  Hampshire  was  "the  mere  tool  of  the  administration"  of  Mr.  Tyler— a'nd 
then,  if  not  before,  were  family  secrets  disclosed,  and  the  unjust  and  enormous 
prices,  and  the  va.st  and  profitable  contracts,  of  the  Van  Buren  wire-worker  at 
Washington,  revealed  to  the  world.  Mr.  Blair  was  soon  able  to  bet  heavily  on 
elections,  and  it  is  said  that  he  did  so — able  to  endorse  notes  and  make  pecuniary 
advances  to  influential  congressmen — aye,  and  to  lend  $  10,000  tvj  his  patron' 
General  Jackson. 

When  Mr.  Hoyt  broke  down — when  the  Manhattan  Bank  affair  happened— as 
well  as  on  other  similar  occasions,  where  his  party  suffered,  Mr.  Blair  maintained  a 
decent  silence — but  when  Morris  and  Varian  had  caught  a  paper  parcel  at  Pierce's, 
which  Hoyt,  Lawrence,  Allen,  Edmonds,  and  Butler  sat  in  judgment  upon,  « 
would  have  supposed  the  Globe  a  moral  earthquake.  Yet  its  owner's  eye,  like 
Croswell's,  was  ever  on  the  spoils — his  avarice,  like  that  which  filled  Pizarro  whei'. 
he  broke  faith  with  the  Inca.  Pickens  in  Congress  called  him  "  a  galvanized  corpse, " 

New  York,  Saturday,  18th  February,  1332, 
"  To  Jesse  Hoyt — M.  M.  Noah — Samuel  Gouverneur — Walter  Bowne — Williair. 

P.  Hallett — Samuel  Swartwout — Cornelius  W.  Lawrence — James  A.  Hamilton, 

and  others. 

Gentlemen — When  F.  P.  Blair,  Esij.  was  in  this  city,  you  each  subscribed s 
certain  amount,  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  him  with  a  Printing  Press. 

At  the  meeting  of  his  friends  on  that  occasion,  the  subscription  was  short  of  the 
amount  required — but  I  well  recollect  the  Pledge  you  made — which  was — that  thf 
Press  should  be  furnished  and  paid  for — and  that  he  might  rest  assured  of  its  beirg 
forwarded  as  soon  as  it  could  be  procured. 

The  press  has  been  sent  to  Mr.  Blair,  under  the  direction  of  some  of  the  sub- 
scribers— and  $  i;no  paid  on  account  of  it — the  balance  due  the  maker  is  $652 
50  cents,  for  which  he  has  commenced  suit  against  me. 

As  T  did  not  either  contract  with,  or  have  any  thing  to  do  with  Mr.  Hoe,  the 
maker  of  the  Press,  except  my  exertions  in  collecting  the  subscriptions,  and  payine 
them  over,  I  shall  of  course  resist  the  payment  of  it. 

It  appears  to  me  that  this  matter  ought  not  to  be  subjected  to  an  investigation  tn  a 
Court  of  Justice.  Mr.  Hoe  should  be  paid  for  the  Press — and  I  think  the  gentlemen 
who  pledged  themselves  to  Mr.  Blair,  are,  in  honor  bound,  to  pay  immediate  atten- 
tion to  the  subject. 

I  therefore  suggest  that  you  meet  for  the  purpose,  at  the  Bank  Coffee  House,  on 
Tuesday  evening  at  7  o'clock. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  DANIEL  JACKSON, 


The  History  of  the  Albany  Argus  is  longer  than  that  of  the  Globe,  but  the  aspect 
of  the  northern  official  differs  only  from  that  of  the  southern,  in  its  adaptation  to  a 


VAN  BUI 

ilitl'orent  purpoa 
first  proprietor, 
Ihircii,  and  Isaa 
ami  left  it  whe: 
.Mr.  Cantine 
were  profoundly 
position  of  stat( 
each  man  writiii 
and  had  voted  i\ 

Senator  Van 
My  Dear  Sir- 
knew  that  nothi 
Mrs.  Cantine 's  : 
llocs  to  be  at  A 
to  Mr.  Buel,  wl 
yon  can.  If  an 
will  oppose  it. 
BUEL  FOR  $ : 
son  ought  at  leas 
and  under  no  cir 
Mc,  and,  ABOV] 
EDITED  AT  . 
LOWS.  With 
u'htch  now  a^itat 
thanks  to  Mr.  1) 
write  them  soon, 

Mr.  B.  F.  But 

My  Dear  Sir- 
nor's  folly  by  tl 
Argtis  business  I 
ble  for  the  mode 
nity,  &c.     I  hav 


Mr,  Noah,  in 
Democratic  Legis 
Jesse  Hoyt  and  ( 
IromCatskill,  wl 
of  Croswell  and  1 

"They  area  set 
pings  of  unclean  b 
lows,  who  go  aboi 
shaking  hands  wit 
eked  out  with  kno 
questions  into  a  le 
Of  this  CABAL  we 

Leggett's  cours 
their  utmost  to  co 

♦  The  Columbian  o 
prinlins  for  one  third  le 
C.  Spencer  was  for  letli 
lional  profit  thus  went  i 

m  February,  1821,  ea 
Senator  of  the.  Vnitn 
Directed  the  following  a 
aii(i  tn  he  the  assistant 
Mr.  Wilcoxon,  who  ia  t 
nelius  HogelMom,  who  i 
missioner;  Barnet  Hoes 
in  the  County  of  Colum 
13 Stale  printer;  ami  Be 
ttie  Kinj'B  poor  cousins 

18 


BLAIR. 

ind  the  naniM 
bad  been  paid 
lent  of  another 

lived  Mr.  Van 
p  ill  Washini;. 
wiie,  Jaciisoii, 
they  been  re- 
ssession  ot'irn- 
ipers  to  presi- 
oriental  mas- 
employers  re- 
they  bade  him 
iger  could  be 
part.  But  to 
slant  stillness 
nmense  jobs— 
and  the  Exec- 
ikless  hour  he 
ivernor  Hiiljoi 
r.  Tyler— and 
and  enormous 
I'ire-worker  at 
bet  heavily  oil 
ake  pecuniary 
>j  his   patron, 

happened— as 
r  maintained  a 
;el  at  Pierce's, 
3nt  upon,  « 
;er's  eye,  hke 

Pizarro  whci'. 
nized  corpse. " 

•uary,  1332, 

ivne — Wiiliarr. 
A.  Hamihoii. 

Ii  subscribed 3 

BS. 

IS  short  of  tilt 
ivas — that  tht 
d  of  its  being 

le  of  the  sub- 
taker  is  $652 

Mr.  Hoe,  the 

is,  and  payine 

'.stigation  im 
the  gentlemen 
mediate  atteo 

Fee  House,  oi 

ACKSON. 

3ut  the  aspect 
daptation  to  a 


VAN  BUREN's  idea  OF  THE  ARGUS  AS  CONDUCTED  BY  CROSWELL.        89 

Jitlorctit  purpose,  the  management  of  only  a  single  state.  Mr.  Jesse  Buel  was  its 
first  propr teior,  and  he  sold  out  to  Moses  I.  Cantine,  a  brother-in-law  of  MartT,"  Van 
H.,r.M..  at.d  Isaac  Q.  Leake  h.s  partner,  who  ha.l  been  cashier  of  the  old  Buffalo  Bank 
an,  left  tt  when  the  brokers  were  redeeming  its  notes  at  a  shilling  to  the  dollar  ' 
Mr.  (  antme  wa.s  an  attorney-Leuke  had  been  bred  in  a  bank-lof  printing  they 
were  proloundly  >gnorant-but  party  machinery  placed  them  at  once  in\he  lucrative 
positton  of  state  pnnters'-the  itegency  were  all  of  them  ready  to  act  i,  editors 
each  ntan  wr.i.ng  on  hat  which  most  interested  him.  Cantine  was  a  sta?2  senator' 
and  had  voted  tor  banks  and  insurance  companies,  wholesale.  ' 

Senator  Van  Buren  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt.  janV  ■?!    isoq 

My  Dear  Sir-I  am  overwhelmed  with  the  account  of  poor  Cantine 's  death      I 
bewtha  nohmg  from  me  can  be  necessary  to  secure  your  zealoSs  StSn  to 
rs.  Cantine  s  interest,  if  any  thing  can  be  done  for  her.     I  have  wriUen   L  Mr 

and  under  no  nrnimstanrfs  murht  anv  one  to  hr  nnnmrtiJ u,h  .  ;  -      /        "™'""""w« 

felTF'D  AT^?  ^\^.^^H^^^^  ^<^'^^^^^^1  KpElffnuS 
low!'''  wL^^M^pIr^^  ^'-'^  HANG  OUR  HARPS  ON  THE  WIL- 
^'^^J'^-  vvi^A//, /^ei-ARTY  van  survive  a  thousand  such  convu/sions  as  those 
M  nowagrtate  and  probably  alarm  most  of  those  around  you.     Mak    my  sincie 

Se  them  soon   "  "'  ^S«'f -'-'•  f-^heir  kind  lette'rs,  and  tell  thJmT  wUI 
wntt  tnem  soon.  In  haste,  yours  iruly,  M.  VAN  BUREN. 

Mr.  B.  F.  Butler,  to  Mr.  Jes^TS^  '  «  Albanv    T.,n,>  'i    iR9i 

'"yP.r^"-^--  .have  by  this  time  heard  the  consummafionrthe  St.r- 

nors  folly  by  the  issuing  of  his  proclamation Yot^w-^ll  see  that  the 

Argns  business  has  been  at  last  accomplished.  I  was  obliged  to  become  re  pons^ 
be  for  the  moderation  of  the  New  York  paper,  and  to  execute  a  BonroflnTm- 
mty,&c.     I  have  written  to  Hamilton  for  it.     Do  see  that  it  is  sent  ii 


Yours  ever, 


B.  F.  B." 


Mr,  Noah,  in  1839,  mentioned  that  he  was  nominated  as  State  Printer  by  a 
Democratic  Legislature,  but  that  Mr.  Van  Buren,  being  opposed  to  "m  ''I? 
Jesse  Hoyt  and  other  tools  at  work  and  defeated  him,  and  brought  up  Cro'swelP' 
romCatskill,  who  was  elected.  Mr.  William  Legge  t  gives  us  a  grSph  e  ske  ch 
ct  Croswell  and  his  confederates— very.     Here  it  is—  gi'ipnic  sKttcn 

01  this  CABAL  we  believe  the  state  printer  to  be  the  soul  and  center  "  P'°J«'=»s- 

■ioiK'l  profit  thus  ^Uut  into  the  pXet.;..''^Ca^d^  previously  drilled  the  party,  and  $7m  of  addl- 

.Svtf;'o;TA.''^L',>f  i)'„%i''6??A^  Zl7„;-'  '^^'"'"  ^^"  B^ren  havm,  procured  himself  to  be  made 

is  Stale  printer-  and  BenkminPRfMio^,^  *^."^'  ^T'  I- pantme,  the  brother-in-law,  also,  of  Martin. 
^ha  Kin/'.  ^'oVcous'ln^raJ^Tofer^yt^Ii  ptvi§ed  JoV'."'""'  °'  ^"^  ^^^"'"'  '»  °'"f'"  Attorney.    Truly! 
J8 


00 


VAN   IIIIIHN       UcKnoNIHM       TIIK    TIMKh    AND  Trii;  STANfMIIII. 
Ml     \  nil   Itiilili  III  Ml     llnvl 


iitll 


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Vimin  li  Illy  , 


|\N'llllill  III)  a  hliicl  lit  Kill   jiiinl,  linlii   \\  iinliiiiyliiii,   \Uf     JHIIII   ) 


M   \  AN  lll'KKN 


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l.,ii.M,.l  ,l,..U.iii  n  r|,,,i,irl,M'    |iiM  UN  urjl  in   jM'JI.  «l„ii  lir  u UH nnlruvorinu    

him  il.iun  ami  ILuMonI  u|.,  Iinw  .-Uiii..  Ii..,  < 'i.m«..ll      ml  llii||..|,  (i;,,  |  |,i,vr  Iriiml 
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i.imli.il  .i|  Niit'li  nii.ii  i.M  .l.iiliiinoi.  ..ml  M,..liNiin.   '      t!>. 

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I'licn.  i«  tiv|.,>i-ii.-.v  h.nu.'w  li,.|i.  Ill  ilii..,,      \S  h,.  .mu  .•\|.liiiii  11  ' 
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..|...mv  au.l  UVUI..I  u.,  Mi.-li."  Ami  m,  .Inul.l  ••  h  „„^  ,1,,.  ..luun  .if  «ur..|v  luiid 
hunk.-,  ilu.  ,li«inl..iti„n  ..f  m.h.Iv-  lln-  ..|.|...mnn,mi  ..I  .ll,...•^,M^.  uml  ..lli.-.M.-.,  im,|  ,|„ 
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.unl  wli.M.  111,.  u.,n«  wlu.'li  j;..m.iui.I  .ii.-l,  U.iik  ami  vm'U  .•...itily  ^^^^u■  i;allnT,,l  u, 
i;..il....  ami  (.la.v.  in  Mi.  Van  ltn...i.'«  liuml«.  1...  .l,..vo  Hi,,  w  |,.,|..  i,.„unviUi,mi 
aiiv  (taiii>t!r  li.iiu  ilivutuiii  ni  «i|.».'Uii\i>." 

♦K   W    lUvla  u,  .l,'i.s,.  ll,>.vi 

T,m.,Y.m>.,  July,  Klti     Sir-  I  ,„i.l„r,„.,,J  ihm-e  «r„  ,„.,„.iu^h  at   y.Mi,  ..(Ikn  l„  „„,,inl  .,.  .,„r  ,.„t„l,|„|, 

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.l..,ilU-i.u.,,     Itu.ia  >>.iii  vviuiualr  l.M    »'<i,.(i.i,lva,u'r,ll,.  il,„   l.iv|Mlrl..r.N  i-l  lIu- Nrw  Y,.rk  ■riinrH     n, 

V     ..._ I..      a. 


W'lir!)  iiuly,  Ai'  , 


J,  IIOYI' 


!^;^^^K^v:^;;;.;-'^;/-;;,!f;;:,;;';;,;;rtX.,;::- 

.lo^Hoi  *  ,„vk  Jv.Wmu.    («;K.r  .Hlk..!   Ilu.  Stan.lnnl.     S.  VmuhrvWu^.  \V    i,  ,•„..,   I    V       .,    \     ,k  1;.- 
ita   s  J  u'^^   r;j  ;:,  IS  '"^"^  ^"'  *^'  ■'*  ''^'«"  '^  '"«  ^"'^o  »-'  l'"""'«  >-  -v,.  piety  «„dV  ™u*. 


VAN  III 


;;.-•  /v.  .11.    ./ 
11/11/  I  iifi  liii 

,1  f/'iir  /ll  I  (/ 
I  (III  lliii  I  n  II 
III!  /ill  ii/ij  /ri 
•  II  ihi   I'nii  I, 

Ml      luilM.N  ( 

in  ii  iiitliv..  .ll 
rnilf.l  ■'^lul..h, 
imrlv  .'iiiiiln.iii' 
llir  \.  Si  '.III 
till'  lll.llllll.l.ll 
N.'w    N.iil,    II 

li.ilinl,    l..nn    ull 

iii('i.'..iiiiry  liiir 

.ll   li.iiiil  ;iml  ill 
Iliir  I'll.lliiliT, 

|MIII.I.'II.'..,     Willi 


|)i  .11  Sill       \ 
III  ..  nil'  \(iii  III'. 

I  ll  iM.  Iicrii  |i 
.l.irl>...iin   im-ii 
I'liiii  |.|  \i  nil  •  II 

riii'V  1.111111111 
Wi'l.l.      .Sm-li  1; 

I  .^ll.lll  Willi,  y 
.'.III  illlinil    ||||.    |i;| 


i)i,\ii  Sill-  I 
.mil  Ml-.  Iii^liiiiii 

oil.'  It.ll.lV.lll  ll 

NVw  \,.ili       'I'l 
.MajiPi-  M.Miri.  , 

llliiV I'lllM  iilT  11 

;iii.l  Mr.  Clay. 

I  liavi'  |iiclvi.(l 
<«>i.'ll  I.  II  yiiii  III 

1  ai.i  ^f.niuf  III  , 
i  a 

|N'.''  :t.|  l"nrk 


Di-ar  n.iyt— Y 

OiMiVfyiii)^  ill,,  nil 
"//  Ihifi  iiifrrfiiiiu 
I'l'sl,  in  llitii-  ajrj. 
I.'i'  such  a  C'l'liu^r 
^■I'st  ami  my  „yvi, 
either  way  ihan  tl 


DA  II II. 


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23  WEST  Main  STREiT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14530 

(716)  872-4503 


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92 


JAMES  GORDON  BENNETT  AND  HIS  BIG  GUN. 


I  must  put  up  with  it  as  well  as  I  can.  As  to  your  doubts  and  surmises  about  my 
future  course,  rest  perfectly  easy — /  shall  never  abandon  my  party  or  my  friends, 
I'll  go  to  the  bottom  sooner.  The  assaults  of  the  Post  and  Standard  I  shall  put 
down  like  the  grass  that  grows.  I  shall  carry  the  war  into  Africa,  and  "  curst  be 
he  who  cries  hold,  enough."  Neither  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  the  Argus  nor  any  of 
their  true  friends  will  or  can  have  any  fellow  feelin^r  with  the  men — the  stockjob- 
hers — who  for  the  last  two  years  have  been  trying  to  Q3stroy  my  character  and  rep- 
utation. I  know  Mr.  Van  Buren  better — and  I  will  stand  up  in  his  defence  AS 
LONG  AS  HE  FEELS  FRIENDLY  TO  ME.  I  will  endeavour  to  do  the  best 
I  can  to  get  aloiig.  I  will  go  among  my  personal  friends  who  are  unshackled  as  to 
politics  or  banks,  and  who  will  leave  me  free  to  act  as  a  man  of  honor  and  princi- 
ple. So  my  dear  Hoyt,  do  not  lose  your  sleep  on  my  account.  I  am  certain  of 
YOUR  friendship  whatever  the  others  may  say  or  do.  I  fear  nothing  in  the  shape  of 
man,  devil,  or  newspaper — I  can  row  my  own  boat,  and  if  the  Post  and  Standard 
don't  get  out  of  my  way,  they  must  sink  me— that  is  all.  If  I  adhere  to  the  same 
principles  and  run  hereafter  as  I  have  done  heret  afore,  and  which  I  mean  to  do,  re- 
collect it  is  not  so  much  that  "  I  love  my  persecutors  "  as  that  /  regard  my  own 
honor  and  reputation.  Your  lighting  up  poor  Webb  like  a  fat  tallow  candle  at  one 
end,  and  holding  him  out  as  a  beacon-light  to  frighten  me,  only  makes  me  smile, 
Webb  is  a  gentleman  in  private  life,  a  good  hearted  fellow,  honorable  in  all  his  pri- 
vate transactions  as  I  have  found  him,  but  in  politics  and  newspapers  a  perfect 
child — a  boy.  You  will  never  find  the  Pennsylvanian  going  the  career  of  the  C.  & 
E.  That  suspicion  answers  as  a  good  excuse  to  those  who  have  resolved  before 
hand  to  do  me  all  the  injury  they  can,  but  it  will  answer  for  nothing  else.  I  am, 
Dear  Hoyt,  Yours  truly, 

J.  G.  B. 
P.  S.     The  $200  in  specie  I'll  put  into  my  big  Gun  and  give  U.  S.  Bank  and 
Stockjobbers  a  broadside.     I  wish  you  would  let  me  know  any  other  U.  S.  Bank 
movement  in  your  city.     This  is  the  battle  ground  of  Bank  contest — here  is  the 
field  of  Waterloo.     New  York  now  is  only  the  Pjrrrenies. 


[No.  4.]    P'm'k  Alb'y,  July  20.     Address,  "Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor  at 
Law,  N.  Y."  Albany,  20th  July,  1829. 

Dear  Sir — Since  I  arrived  here  I  have  seen  our  friends  in  the  A^gus  oflice  and 
State  department— I  mean  Major  Flagg,  Mr.  Wright,  and  Mr.  Croswell.  They  are 
very  friendly,  but  they  say  they  have  heard  little  of  our  local  matters  in  New  York, 
consequent  on  the  sale  of  the  Enquirer,  with  the  exception  of  a  passing  remark  from 
**-   Cambreleng  as  he  passed  through  here  a  few  weeks  ago.     They  speak  in  the 


Mr 


highest  terms  of  Mr.  Barnum,  and  assure  me  that  he  is  every  way  capable  for  the 
position  in  New  York.  I  am  sorely  puzzled  to  know  what  to  do.  Although  oui 
friends  here  think  it  a  very  favorable  opportunity  to  start  a  new  paper,  yet  they 
think  it  a  very  hazardous  experiment.  They  told  me  to  day  that  if  the  party  had  the 
control  of  the  political  course  of  the  Courier  and  Enquirer,  it  would  be  more  eligible 
than  a  new  paper.  This  they  think  could  be  done  by  placing  an  editor  there  under 
the  auspices  of  the  General  Committee — an  Editor  who  would  take  care  of  the  inter- 
ests of  the  party  and  his  friends.  They  are  afraid  that  the  political  patronage  is  not 
sufficient  for  the  support  of  a  new  paper,  and  they  are  of  opinion  that  a  journal 
which  now  enjoys  all  such  patronage  as  the  Courier  and  Enquirer  ought  to  give  up 
its  columns  to  a  political  Editor  appointed  by  the  General  Committee.  I  wish  you 
could  get  me  out  of  these  contradictory  views  and  opinions.  If  you  and  Mr. 
OAKLEY,  and  Mr.  CODDINGTON,  and  a  few  other  of  our  friends  could  settle 
what  course  I  shall  take  previous  to  my  return,  I  DO  NOT  CARE  WHAT  IT  IS- 
/  shall  adopt  it — I  know  it  will  be  a  proper  course.  Which  is  the  best  and  cheapest 
mode  of  expressing  the  views  of  the  party  ?  A  new  or  an  old  paper  ?  /  shall  be  im- 
patient for  action  when  I  return.  Now  is  the  time  to  sow  the  seed.  This  is  the 
spring  of  politics.  The  birds  are  beginning  to  sing.  I  cannot  resist  those  influences, 
and  if  you  set  yourself  to  work,  I  know  you  can  accomplish  the  matter  to  a  T.  Do 
not  call  ine  a  hereti-,  and  a  trifyiing  fellow,  because  I  have  spoken  thus  much  of 
C.  and  E.     If  it  be  heresy,  then  undoubtedly  must  head  quarters  be  in  a  bad  way. 

On  the  evening  befoie  I  left  New  York,  I  received  a  letter  informing  me  that  the 
Herald  intended  to  publiph  on  Saturday  morning  last  this — "  The  last  rallying  point 


6E1 

of  the  Repu 
services  anc 
Enquirer,  & 
untrue,  and 
pears  thai  R 
this  the  fing 
make  as  mu 
I  shall  writ( 
Tell  Mr.  Oa 

P.  S.— If 
to  Buffalo  to 

P.  S.— ]V 
General  Con 
private  meet 

[No.  5.] 
sellor  at  Lav 

Deak  Hoi 

is  to  make  tl 

It  can  be  ( 

In  relation 

I  really  wi 

mentioned. 

Morrison  I 

John  Mum 

sum  I  would 

I  should  b( 

bestow  their 

certainly  has 

I  am  sorry 

like  ingratitui 

I  want  no  1 

I  want  no  ; 

I  should  lih 


[No.  6.] 

Dear  Hov 
MUST  have  i 
get  on  witho 
working  for  '■ 
business  here 
years.  You  i 
State— But  if 
Devil— that  is 

There  is  no 
more — who  w 

I  must  be  pi 
hurry  me  into 

Kendall  lea' 
hear  from  you 


[No. 
at  Law, 


^  New 

Dear  Hoyt 

inevitable ;  In 

tests  which  Yi 

how  I  can  avoi 


BENNETT  ASKING  V.  BUREN  $2500  AFTER  8  YEARs'  SERVICE. 


93 


mises  about  my 
or  mi/ friends, 
ard  I  shall  put 
and  "  curst  be 
gus  nor  any  of 
—the  stockjob- 
racter  and  rep- 
his  defence  AS 
•  to  do  the  best 
ishackled  as  to 
nor  and  princi- 

am  certain  of 
in  the  shape  of 

and  Standard 
re  to  the  same 
mean  to  do,  re- 
egard  my  own 
1  candle  at  one 
kes  me  smile. 
3  in  all  his  pri- 
ipers  a  perfect 
erof  the  C.  & 
esolved  before 
%  else.    I  am, 

J.  G.  B. 

,  iS.  Bank  and 
:r  U.  S.  Bank 
it — here  is  the 


Coonsellor  at 
July,  1829. 

^gus  office  and 
all.  They  are 
in  New  York, 
y  remark  from 
r  speak  in  the 
capable  for  the 
Although  our 
aper,  yet  thejr 
;  party  had  the 
e  more  eligible 
lor  there  under 
re  of  the  inter- 
atronage  is  not 
^hat  a  journal 
ight  to  give  up 
!.  I  wish  you 
you  and  Mr. 
ids  could  settle 
EIAT  IT  IS- 
t  and  cheapest 
/  shall  be  im- 
.  This  is  the 
ose  influences, 
Br  to  a  T.  Do 
thus  much  of 
bad  way. 
[If;  me  that  the 
;  rallying  point 


of  the  Republican  Party  has  been  surrendered,  by  the  purchase  by  the  Conriei  of  the 
services  and  prospects  of  the  gentleman  who  was  to  have  published  the  N.  Y  State 
Enqmrer,&c.  &C.&C.''  Iwenttotheofficeofthe  Herald  and  told  them  it  was 
untrue,  and  forbid  its  publication.  Snowden  will  tell  you  the  whole  story  It^^ 
pears  thai  Mumford  went  to  the  Herald  and  told  them  the  story.  You  can  see  m 
thisthefinjrer  of  our  friend  BUTLER  and  Elisha  Tibbets  proUly,  whTwant  S 
make  as  much  mischief  as  possible.  I  hope  old  King  caucuLill  remcmberthem 
I  shall  write  nothmg  for  the  C.  and  E.  during  my  iom-that  you  regueZto7o 
Tell  Mr.  Oakley  that  my  next  letter  I  shall  write  to  him  probabl/fromThe  Sprfngs! 
1  am,  Dear  Sir,  yours  truly,  JAMES  G.  BENNETT 

to  BuffiliTto  me.^^""^  ^"^  ''"'"^  '°  '""^  particularly  in  the  course  of  this  week  writo 
P.  S  -Mr.  Croswell  thinks  that  under  present  circumstances  the  Republican 
General  Committee  can  make  their  own  terms  with  Webb  and  Tylee.     Would  uot  a 
private  meeting  of  our  friends  on  the  subject  be  a  ^ood  first  step  ? 

seKOlw  YorL^-  ''  '™^'  ^''^    ""'''^^^  '^^^  H"^^*'  ^3^-.  Coun- 

Dear  HoYT,— You  will  see  by  the  papers  what  we  are  about  here.  Mv  obiect 
IS  0  make  the  party  come  out  for  a  National  Convention.  ^     •" 

It  can  be  done  by  prudence,  skill,  and  address. 

"rpa  Iv  wlh  tw"'  ^  f^^i  *°J""  ^"  ^^'^  Y"^'^'  I  ^'^^e  a"  earnest  word  to  say, 
menSed  ^  ^"'"'^^  '^""  ^""^'^  ''^  '"  ^^  ™«  i"  the  matter  I  formerfj; 

Morrison  I  fear  will  do  nothing. 

John  Mumford  has  been  aided  to  the  extent  of  $  40,000.  With  a  fourth  of  that 
Ti'' m'J  ^'^'  done  twice  as  much-soberly  and  with  some  decency  too 

I  should  be  sorry  to  be  compelled  to  believe  that  my  friends  in  New  York  should 

I  want  no  favor  that  I  cannot  repay. 

I  want  no  aid  that  is  not  perfectly  safe. 

I  should  like  to  hear  from  you,  if  there  is  any  likelihood  of  my  success. 

Yours,  &c.,  J.  GORDON  BENNETT. 

{f "'  ^"i  ^  Philadelphia,  27th  July,  1833. 

MrSThJv"''''!'        ^r*rii^'."  ^°  ^''"  ^"'•''"  t«-day  about  the  old  affair.    I 

fet  on  wi^Sou  "it"  tAf^S  ^''  '"  '"''^l'-  '^  ^^"^  ^'""^  '^^^  q"«"«^-  I  ^an' 
get  on  without  it— and  if  the  common  friends  of  our  cause— those  I  have  been 
working  for  8  years-cannot  do  it,  I  must  look  for  it  somewhere  else  M? 
ITT'y'"'"  dojng  very  well-and  the  money  would  be  ™eSctly  safe'in  twJ 
£  iTe"""  f'^i^  '^'  f'*'*  P'.°^"'=^^  in'Pennsylvani?-we  can  haJe  the 
fcfhatfsall  °"'  ''^  '^^''^'"  heartlessness,  why,  we'll  go  to  the 

There  is  no  man  who  wiU  go  further  with  friends  than  I  will- who  will  sacrifice 
more-who  will  work  harder.    You  know  it  very  well 

1  must  be  perfectly  independent  of  the  little  sections  in  this  citv  who  would 
hun-yme  into  their  small  courses,  at  the  risk  of  the  main  ob^ec?         ^'  ^ 

heatfrom  yoS"'  ^^^'"^^°"  Tou^yS. '"  '""  °'  ^'"'  ^"^P^"^^'"'     ^''  '"^ 

JA'S  GORDON  BENNETT. 

at^w.^ew^York""'''  ^^"•'  "^"^^  3~Address^esse  Hoyt    Esq.,  Attorney 
V,  x^ew  lorK.  Philadelphia,  3rd  Aug't,  1833. 

ineviublP  7«:::;\*T5*'""^'yu°''"y  **  *^^  "■^"^'^  «f  y°"  ^frorts.     The  effect  is 
Sl\'ch  vTNBTOte'r^^^^^  ""'^''"^  one  of  the  most  important  con- 

how  I  can  avo^  it  ^  Wi^u^      ^^a^^  ever  got  into  in  this  State,     fdo  not  see 
now  1  can  avoid  it.     With  every  advantage  in  my  favor-with  every  preparation 


'  I 


94        Bennett's  love  foe  van  buren  rewarded  by  contempt  ! 

raade--every  thing  in  the  finest  trim  to  check-mate  and  comer  all  the  opposition  to 
Van  Buren,  and  to  force  them  to  come  out  in  his  favor— as  I  know  they  roust  do 
soon— I  must  give  way  to  the  counsels  of  those  who  have  most  hostile  feelinss  to 
the  cause— and  on  what  ground?  Because  neithe-  .Mr.  Van  Buren  nor  his  friends 
will  move  a  finger  in  my  aid.  I  must  eav  ti.is  is  hcarlleas  in  the  extreme.  I  do  not 
wish  to  use  any  other  language  than  what  will  convey  mildly  the.  anguish,  the  dis- 
appointment,  the  despair  I  may  say  which  broods  over  me.  If  1  had  been  a  straneer 
to  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  his  friends— if  I  had  been  unknown— if  I  had  been  blest  in 
being  a  blockhead— I  might  not  have  got  into  my  present  posture— nor  would  I 
have  expected  any  aid  from  your  quarter.  But  after  NEARLY  TEN  YEARS 
^C  (^^f'^Jf^*^  ^^^^^^^  NIGHT  AND  DAY  FOR  THE  CAUSE  OF 
MR  VAN  BUREN  AND  HIS  FRIENDS,  surrounded,  too,  as  I  have  been 
with  those  who  were  continually  talking  against  him,  and  poisoning  me  to  his 
prejudice,  the  treatment  which  I  have  received  from  him  and  his  friends  during  this 
last  year,  and  up  to  this  moment,  is  as  superlatively  heartless— ^nd  if  I  could  use  any 
other  word  more  expressi"e  of  my  sentiments  I  would— as  it  is  possible  to  conceive 
or  imagine.  By  many  of  those  whom  I  have  supported  for  years  I  have  been 
suspected,  slandered,  and  reviled  as  if  I  had  been  in  bitter  hostility  to  Mr.  Van 
Buren  for  years,  instead  of  supporting  him  through  every  weather,  and  even  sacrj. 
hcing  myself  that  I  might  retain  the  same  feelings  towards  him— for  I  assure  you  I 
might  have  continued  my  connection  with  the  C.  and  E.  last  year,  very  much  to 
my  advantage— retained  my  share  in  the  priitting  office  of  that  establishment,  if  I 
had  not  diflfered  with  Mr.  Webb  on  the  points  that  you  know  so  well  of.  I  sold 
out  however  to  *Hoskin— saved  a  small  pittance  from  the  wreck  of  the  \  Globe- 
came  here -dnd  invested  it  in  the  Pennsylvanian,  which  is  now  entirdy  under  my 
control,  provided  I  could  find  a  friend  anywhere  between  he^aven  and  earth  to  help 

'J^^AM  if.'r™/'''^^''  '"*  ^°  '^"'■'■^  «Mi!MY  FIXED  PURPOSE  IN  FAVOR  OK 
VAN  BUREN  and  his  friends.  But  that  friend  God  has  not  yt  made,  though 
several  of  the  opposite  character  the  other  gentleman  has  put  his  brand  upon,  and 
fondly  says  "this  is  mine."  '^ 

I.xceptyou,  DEAR  HOYT— I  am  sure  you  would  help  the  cause  if  you  could. 
1  find  no  fault  with  you,  although  what  fmlt  you  find  with  me  about  the  d.posits  is 
nonsense,  and  only  a  clamour  raised  in  Wall  street  by  a  few  of  the  jealous  block- 
heads hostile  to  me,  who  have  not  hrr.i.is  to  see  that  in  this  ciiy  we  can  use  the 
deposit  question  very  efficiently  in  the  0.  tober  el-etion.  I  do  not  blame  even  the 
jealous  blockheads  or  any  oihers  in  New  York-I  blame  onlv  one,  and  that  is  the 
Vice  President  himself.  He  h^s  tre  .ted  me  in  this  matier  as  if  I  had  been  a  boy- 
a  ctiiid— cold,  heartless,  careless  and  God  knows  what  not. 

By  a  word  to  any  ..fh'S  friends  in  Albany  he  c>mld  do  the  friendship  I  want  as 
easily  as  rise  and  drink  a  glass  of  Saratoga  water  at  the  Springs.  He  choos  s  to 
Sit  still— /«  sacrifice  those  who  have  supported  him  in  ei  .  x-ea/Af.r- and  even  hurdly 
to  treat  me  as  one  gentleman  would  treat  another. 

/  scarcely  know  what  course  I  shall  pursue,  or  lohat  I  shall  do.  I  am  beset  on  all 
sides  with  importunities  to  cut  him— to  abandon  Aim— What  can  I  do'  What  shall 
I  do?  I  know  not.  You  will  excuse  this  letter— you  can  easily  appreciate  the 
situation  of  a  man  confident  of  success  if  properly  supported- but  nothing  before 
him  but  the  abandonment  of  his  deliberate  purposes  or  a  shameful  surrender  of 
honor  and  purpose  and  principle  and  all.  Yours  truly, 

'  J.  G.  BENNETT. 

I  do  not  know  whether  it  is  worth  the  while  to  write  to  Van  Bvren  or  not— nor 
do  1  care  if  you  weie  to  send  him  this  letter. 


VAN  BUREN 


t^°-  ^-1  Philadelphia,  15  Aug't,  1833. 

Dear  Hovt,— I  have  not  heard  from  you  for  a  week.  I  hope  that  my  old  friends 
—If  I  ever  had  any— which  I  begin  to  doubt— will  not  forget  what  I  have  h<tmo- 
fore  done  or  wh^t  I  may  do.  Bo  let  me  hear  from  you  again  for  good  and  all  at 
•east.  I  am,  Dear  Sir,  Yours,  &c. 

. JA'S  G.  BENNETT. 


*  I  think  that  is  tlie  name. 


t  Such  seems  to  be  tfie  spelling. 


VAN  BUREN  WOULD  WISH  BENNETT  WELL  AS  LONG  AS  HE  KEPT  HONEST  !    95 

[No.  9.]     P-m-k,  "  Saratoga  SpVs,  Aug't  20."    Free~M.  Van  Buren 

Address— Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  New  York. 

Dear  Sih-I  return  your  Mr.  B.'s  letters.     I  have  never  doubled  his  versonal 

jnendshipforme      Iroould  always  have  been  happy  to  do  /.m To/ but  f  Tanno 

irectly  or  indirectly  aflbrd  pecuniary  aid  to  his  press,  at.d  more^Scularlv  so  ., 

I  am  situated  at  the  present  moment.     If  he  canno    contrue  friS  to  me  '„ 

public  grounds  and  with  perfect  independence,  I  can  only  regret  it,  but  1  deske  Z 

snail  wish  Jiim  well      He  does  not  understand  the  relations  between  the  Fdiinra 
he  quarre  s  witji  and  myself,  or  he  would  not  complain  of  me  for  th'ir  ac^s     Thev 
are  as  independent  of  me  in  the  management  of  their  papers,  as  iVish  hfm  to  be 
and  remain.     I  had  H.tended  to  have  said  thus  much  to  him,  but  the  ' 

your  letter,  and  the  cndent  tendency  of  his  paver   render  it  nrpfprlhlo  fi,,*  t    i      ,i 
■>et.    I  did  suppose  that  he  would^l/ave  iiS  n'Sfffi^    ty' fobtmit^^^^^^^ 
.New  York  as  others-  get  it,  if  our  friends  in  PhiladelphiLould  rt  flMoSer 
make  out  to  sustain  one  press.     If  you  happen  to  meet  him  I  Tsh  you  S^ 
make  these  explanations  to  him,  BUT  KEEP  THIS. 

I  am,  in  haste,  your  friend,  M.  VAN  BTJRFIV 

Saratoga,  August  19,  1833.  * -fii'v  u u Kii^rM . 

On  the  15th  of  August,  1833,  Mr.  Bennett  wrote  Mr.  Hovt  earnestlv  entrpntJn^ 
Mr.  Van  Buren^s  ultimatum,  which  that  gentleman  g^wefn  his  TeS  of  E^^^ 
IZfwT^^  Spnngs,  showing  that  he  had  no  confidence  in  hJ-bJt  whether  he 
Sy'Ldmi"'"'  "  '"  ">dependence  is  not  stated.     That  Hoyt  doubled  him  L 

When  Mr    Bennett  found  that  he  had  nothing  to  hope  from  that  nnarter  hp 
addressed  a  letter  to  General  Jackson  (Sept.  lof)  impeachbe^'  S,.^  E'^.m 
and  certain  confederates^  with  reference  to  the  pet^S  sche'       to  whfch  IS 
president  replied.     Mr.  Bennett  had  received  many  confident  L  te  s  Sm  K^n 
dalj— of  these  he  published  sevnral      Mr   n    M   wu-.   '"''""*'  ''^'■'•'^rs 'rom  iven- 

coneludmg  with  '' Pray  bt'XSett'aL^Ttrdone  whh™"h  l""; 
UiU)  his  paper!     Mr.  Cambreleng  made  similar^Jequests  t  his\" en  "  Mr  Hovt 
bu  some  of  the  letters  that  might  have  been  in  the  fire  appear  in^thisbioffr"Z' 

and  L^n^^"'^  l""u"''^  *"^  correspondence~the  undue  influence  ofjiis  iournal- 
and  the  causes  which  may  mduce  such  men  as  him  to  strain  ever^  effon  ^o  SpT^ 

l»v,,  ,f  »"'?';"»"».  )»?in!>l»ts  of  talent  md  great  ciiculation,  as  lUey  would  a 

^rr'«tauU''tr  .reSr"' '"  "'^ '"' '° "  ™'  *""''  'y--^»*"- 

Read  Mr.  B.'s  correspondence,  and  you  will  perceive  how  littlp  ia  tn«,^  k 

rrid 'TnKpTn's  vh'-'hT'  ^^^^'.z^^^^^^^^^^ 

friendly  to  /l2'_"^the  $2oI  ,n  «         \'''^'"'?.'"  '"""^  ""l  ^'-  ^«"  Buren  felt 
iylvanfai],  an^d  give  U.^'Z'a  bSsid:.""'^^'  ^"^  '"^^  ^'^  ^'^  ^""  ^the  Pei- 
Was  this  $  200,  then,  a  bribe  ?    Let  us  look  at  it. 
m.  Bennett  was  poor,  he  was  correct  in  receiving  pecuniary  aid  from  Mr. 


96      Bennett's  love  for  van  buren  cooling  off — the  big  gun. 

Hoyt,  Mr.  Van  Burcn,  Mr.  Biddle  or  any  one  else  who,  knowing  his  course  and 
avowed  principles,  chose  to  advance  $200  in  support  of  them.  To  do  so,  brought 
him  under  no  personal  or  political  obligation  to  the  donor — it  was  no  bribe.  But 
to  take  money  from  Mr.  Hoyt — to  tell  him  he  was  his  partisan,  bound  to  sink  or 
swim  with  van  Buren,  and  then  when  Van  Buren  would  not  give  him  other 
$2500,  to  turn  round  upon  and  bespatter  him  and  his  regency  with  mud,  does 
seem  mercenary  and  unprincipled. 

Who  that  has  read  the  following  paragraphs  in  the  Herald  would  imagine  they 
were  written  by  the  man  who  could  scarcely  find  terms  strong  enough  to  convey 
to  Messrs.  Hoyt  and  Van  Buren,  a  right  idea  of"  the  anguish,  the  disappoi:^tment, 
the  despair  that  brooded  over  him"  because  he  could  not  do  more  for  "Van 
Buren's  cause,"  in  advocating  which  he  acknowledges  that  he  had  spent  nearly 
ten  years  in  New  York,  1D=  "  working  night  and  day  for  the  cause  of  Mr.  Van 
Buren  1" 

iFrom  the  New  York  Herald  of  May  ?,  1837— by  James  Gordon  Bennett.] 
"  The  firat  symptoms  of  the  mania  which  has  produced  the  present  revolution,  developed  themselves  in 
the  spring  of  lf^29,  when  Mr.  Van  Buren,  a  common  country  lawyer,  who  begun  life  by  trundling  cahbaces 
to  market  in  KInderhook,  perfumed  with  Oilogne  water,  and  his  yellow  whiskera  arranged  a  la  Paris,  pre- 
sented the  faniou.^  Safely  Fund  scheme  of  lianking  in  Albany.  Abijah  Mann,  of  Herkimer,  took  up  the 
scheme  and  pressed  lis  adoption  in  the  Assembly,  on  the  ground  of  oppo.-jition  to  the  United  Slates  Barjl!, 
and  in  order  to  take  the  place  of  that  institution,  then  preparing  to  get  a  recharter  from  Congress.  From 
lliat  moment,  the  advocates  of  tmnks  in  general  were  divided  into  two  hostile  parties,  acting  on  poliliciil 
principles,  and  guided  by  poliiical  motives.  The  s.inie  spirit  of  hostility  appeared  soon  in  Congress.  The 
democrats  opix)sed  all  banking  in  Congress,  but  carried  it  to  all  lengths  in  the  Slates.  The  consequence 
was  the  proiracled  conflict  between  General  Jackson  and  the  United  Slates  Bank,  which,  singular  enough. 
gave  a  greater  developement  to  wild,  unregulated  banking  principles  than  if  the  United  Slates  Bank  liad 
been  renewed  ten  times  over.  In  the  midsl  of  the  conflict,  the  old  notions  of  a  hard  money  currency  were 
called  into  action  by  the  goverinnenl  to  sustain  itself  with  the  mob." 

"  The  whole  public  mind  has  been  diseased,  and  Martin  Van  Buren  and  his  atrocious  associates,  form 
one  of  the  original  causes  of  the  terrible  moral,  poliiical,  and  commercial  desolation  which  spread-^  over  the 
country.  Martin  Van  Buren  and  his  associates  first  introduced  the  union  of  politics  and  bank,  iig— pol- 
itics and  speculation  in  this  Stale.  He  was  the  first  speculator  in  town  lots  at  Oswego,  and  he  is  the  au- 
thor of  the  safety  fund  system,  which  first  agitated  the  whole  elements  of  banking  throughout  the  country, 
and  divided  it  into  two  hostile  powers  seeking  for  the  supremacy.  Nicholas  Biddle  was  a  banker—but  he 
was,  and  is,  a  man  of  science.  He  is  an  aristocrat,  but  he  is  a  moral  one — an  intelligent  one— a  philosoph 
ical  one.  He  is  such  an  aristocrat  as  you  will  find  in  heaven— Martin  Van  Bnren  such  a  democrat  as  you 
will  discover  coiled  up  in  any  burning  corner  in  the  other  place— 

"  High  on  a  throne  of  royal  state,  which  far, 
Outshines  the  wealth  of  Ormus,  or  ofind —  " 

he  sita,  like  his  archetype  and  teacher,  in  sulphur  below." 

[From  the  New  York  Herald  of  October,  1841— by  Jam<f3  Gordon  Bennett.] 
"  The  shameless  profligacy  of  the  Albany  Regency,  and  their  coadjutors  in  fraud  and  corruption,  the 
pipe-layers  of  Wall  street,  cannot  nidch  longer  be  concealed  from  the  public  eye.  Let  one  tithe  of  their  ras- 
cality be  exposed,  and  not  one  man  among'them  can  withstand  the  indignation  of  an  outraged  commur.ily 
The  old  Albany  Regency  was  justly  censured  for  its  want  of  integrity  and  disregard  of  the  interests  of  the 
State;  but  there  was  talent,  and  manliness,  EC^and  good  faith  towards  their  as3ociates,_Ci5  in  that  fa 
mous  body,  while  the  present  cabal  is  utterly  worthless  and  contemptible  in  every  respect.  They  are  desti- 
tute of  every  quality  that  cominands  consideration— mercenary,  perfidious,  and  heartless,  they  have  cheated 
their  enemies  and  betrayed  their  friends.  The  slight  hold  which  they  now  have  upon  their  followers  in  the 
interior  of  the  State  will  soon  be  destroyed,  and  they  will  then  go  into  obscurity  with  the  scorn  and  delesla 
tion  of  all  parties." 

Mr.  Bennett,  liKe  Mr.  Noah,  is  Mr.  Van  Buren's  own  witness.  For  ten  years 
they  were  together,  constantly  corresponding,  acting,  writing,  planning  and  schem- 
ing. At  length  there  was  a  quarrel  about  dollars — Mr.  Bennett  felt  affronted  be- 
cause Mr.  Mumford  had  had  $40,000,  while  he  himself  was  refused  $2500. 
How  much,  beside  the  $200  had  been  put  into  his  "  big  gun,"  the  public  have 
not  yet  been  told.  His  "experience,"  published  in  1837  and  '41,  when  read 
along  with  his  begging  letters,  is  really  a  curiosity.  Hoyt  kept  his  (B's)  secrets, 
because  he  (B.)  could  have  told  his. 

I  remember  that  it  was  asserted,  that  Mr.  Bennett,  in  Oct.,  1840,  put  a  heavy 
charge  of  Hoyt's  dollars  into  his  "  big  gun,"  before  he  could  be  prevailed  on  to 
come  out  strong  for  Mr.  Morris  and  the  Hunkers,  against  the  Whigs.  The  Ar^i 
copied  approvingly  his  violent,  pithy  articles,  accusing  Governor  Seward  and  otnei 
leading  Whigs  of  highly  criminal  conduct  as  politicians.  Perhaps  Mr.  B.  will  him- 
self explain  how  he  stood  with  District  Attorney  Butler,  Collector  Hoyt,  and  Pres- 
ident van  Buren,  at  that  important  period  of  their  lives.  How  far  the  preceding 
letters  warrant  the  inference  that  he  must  have  been  hired,  as  he  was  to  puff  the 
foreign  dancing-woman  EUsler,  I  say  not.     Those  who  can  will,  of  course,  believe, 


GUN. 

is  course  and 
o  so,  brought 
a  bribe.  But 
nd  to  sink  or 
ire  him  other 
th  mud,  does 

imagine  they 
gh  to  convey 
sappointment, 
re  for  "  Van 
spent  nearly 
e  of  Mr.  Van 


)e(l  themselves  in 
nindlinef  calibaeei 
i  a  la  Paris,  pre- 
imer,  took  up  itie 
lited  States  Bank, 

Congress.  From 
icting  on  polilicni 
n  Congress.  The 
The  consequence 

singular  enough. 
:  States  Bank  liad 
ey  currency  were 

J  associates,  form 
1  spreads  over  ihe 
nd  banking— Pol- 
and he  13  the  aii- 
tiout  the  counlry, 
a  hanker— but  he 
me— a  philo80|jh- 
i  democrat  as  you 


.1 

d  corruption,  the 
tithe  of  their  ras- 
raged  comniur.ily. 
tieinteresls  of  ihe 
is,_jri5  in  thai  fa- 
.  They  are  desii- 
they  have  cheated 
lir  followers  in  the 
scorn  and  delesta 


For  ten  years 
~[g  and  schera- 
t  affronted  be- 
used  $2500. 
le  public  have 
1,  when  leaii 
(B's)  secrets, 

,  put  a  heavy 
irevailed  on  to 
.  The  Ams 
rard  and  ottiei 
■.  B.  will  him- 
oyt,  and  Pres- 
the  preceding 
/as  to  pufFthe 
ourse,  believe, 


BENNETT  AND  HOYT—VAN  BUREN,  HOYT  AND  '  THE  SPOILS.'     97 

that  on  the  eve  of  the  great  election  of  1840,  James  Gordon  Bennett  took  sides  with 

S^S  to'!'"t  shl^M  •"'^''%    "rJ'^'y^^"  «f  «'^»^"'  ^1^"  ^'-'l  driven    h,nS 
1833  to      a  shameful  surrender  of  honor  and  purpose  and  prit.cinle  and  all  "-out 

ofpuresynpathy,  and  without  first  securing,  an  order  from  Hoyt  or  Beers  for  a 
lea.st  a  double  charge  of  his  powder  to  "  the  big  gun  " 

,H?p'n7  biTJ^l^'; "'""'"  •^''"'^'''  by  those  who  had  excellent  opportunities  to 
l„d.e  of  his  character  as  a  mean  mercenary  being,  without  one  spa  k  of  kindly  or 
.enerous  feeling.  I  doubted.  But  what  shall  we  say  of  the  pliancy  with  wZh 
tnJtty  1829  he  was  ready  to  adopt  any  course  that  Hoyt,  Coddingt.  n  rCo' 
,n,.ht  dictate  Are  there  those  who  hesitate  in  believing  that  Bennett^  in  1^5  is 
the  instrument  of  southern-slaveholders,  foreigners,  natives.  Butlers,  Van  Bure'ns 
Vail  Street  operators  or  of  whoever  else  can  furnish  ammtinition  for  the  big  3 

:>,indy  Hill,  and  Van  Buren  from  the  chair  of  the  great  Washineton 

Like  many  other  evils  which  afflict  society,  a  press  such  as  Bennett's  is  the  cfTm 
W  .nrttpl'  ''"""!!"■  °^  ^^'^'mrted  laws,  currency,  and  business  sysS 
We  must  seek  a  remedy,  not  m  abusing  this  wretched  instrument  of  all  that  is  bS 
IP  our  institutions,  but  in  a  return  to  the  truly  Christian  principles  of  the  ith  of 
J  ly.  17/r>-for,  if  the  check  of  the  democratic  millions  is  found  to  be  imperfect 
al  rxperience  proves  that  it  would  be  madness  to  look  for  a  haven  of  sS  in  a 
return  to  the  rule  ol  the  one  or  tlie  few.*  ^ 


CHAPTER  XXHI. 

^  T/i"f  ,irf '/  ^'  ffi^'^^^l^Pontlu^  English  systan.  Mr.  Daniel  S.  Dickenson. 
Ihe  1st  and  2nd  National  Banks.  Messrs.  Butler,  Van  Buren,  arid  MarrX 
course.  They  petition  for  a  branch  bank  at  Albany.  Their  reauest  refused  L 
pmtion  organized  The  Safety  Fund  buhhlc.  Pripeets  of  tl^l^^s^tadeZ^ 
Their  success,  and  the  result  Letters- Butler^ s  secret  seiltimentlLLoZzoHolvs 
-Cambreen^^s-Memcrial  for  the  Bank-Democrats  like  to  be  U.  S   B  iUrecl- 

(^melius  W  Lawrence,  a  national  bank  man.     Governor   Wright  instructs  the 
,      V.  y.  Legislature  through  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt.     A   U.  S.  Judge  urges  Mr    Ilovt 
to  influence  a  New  York  Senator  through  Judge  Eiker !  •' 

The  course  proposed  by  Messrs.  Butler,  Hoyt,  Van  Buren  and  their  old  associ- 
tes,  ,n  1833,  relative  to  the  United  States  Bank,  involved  but  one  princ  nle-had 
I.    one  object-  the  spoils.'     The  Globe  and  the  Argus  called  thdroSponems 

,m  tSHV"'^  ""'^'"'^  ^^^^''^^  P^'^y''  buttheleairsof  thepetLnkrio^! 
ment  had  been  almost  to  a  man  opponents  of  Jackson  and  for  the  bank.  Li  £  the 
J.  ons  at  Leipsic  Van  Bureu  and  his  band  had  deserted  their  colors  as  the  fortune 
0  nt  h^  "™'^  '^P'^^'^u  'r">'.*  them-and  as  for  federalism,  far  inore  of  it^ 
ancient  champions  are  to  be  found  in  the  camp  of  Wright,  Van  Buren  and  Polk 

ZZT^  f'''  °PP""?''-     ^  '™  ^°^  '"^^  P""^*!'!'^^^  «f  tiie  Declaration  of  Indel 
P  iidence,  and  consequently  not  an  implicit  believer  in  the  dogmas  of  whiff  federal 
^,  or    regukr  democrat,'  except  in  so  far  as,  in  soul  and  spirit,  the^go^  for  that 
glorious  landmark  of  human  rights,  duties  and  responsibilities  ^  ^ 

''.4,sr'0/    I  „•?-'""''';  7-        "-''r^  """    ,"  l""  ""'■''  '="^"""  house  campaign      //'  rf^Ve  ■  s  &«< 

13 


98       VAN  HIJRKN  PETITIONS  FOR  A  BRANCH  OF  THK  V.  S.   BANK  AT  ALBANY. 


I']ii^luii(l  liiul  iiiiiilt!  a  hank  Koini^vslntl  Hirnilarly  coiiHlitiitcil  with  tint  lant  oliiirtt'rcd 
by  (;(»M>^r(!SH,  luT  natioiiiil  IroaHtiry  or  <;x(^li<^(|ii<'r.  Tin;  ('<iii({ri:88  of  thn  Union  tol 
lowed  licr  oxaiiipli',  rt'ccivini;,  I  ht'lii;v(<,  a  million  or  a  million  and  a  lialf  of  (Idllam 
in  ixlvanoc,  uh  a  |irrmium  for  tlir  uho  of  tiic  iiuhlic:  T(!V(;nu(!,  fjivrii  to  tbc  JIank, 
with  iiowcr  to  forct!  II.  S.  Harik  noli'H  into  )><Mi('ral  cirnilation  in  all  paynicnls  nn 
hclialf  of  till.' ^"^''''■'■■"'X'-  I"  "^1"  *l><'  liank  loHt  inillionH  tlirou^li  inismana^emi'nl, 
bill  (lid  not  Htop.  It  demanded  the  Hprcio  I'rom  other  MardiH  ibr  their  not(!H  paid  in 
for  lands  or  eimtom.s' dutic^H,  and  if  they  failed  to  ri^deem,  refiiHcd  their  nolcsas 
money.  In  iIuh  way  it  operated  in  homt!  decree  a.s  a  check  on  the  nniltiplicaliotioi 
what  are  called  Htute  liniikH.  IIh  Htock  cliielly  paid  in  in  H.  S.  HerurilicH,  rose  in 
$  1.50,  or  more,  for  the  $  100  Hhare  ;  and  that  wan  not  far  from  itH  value  when 
Anilrew  .la(d«Hon  and  M.  Van  IJuren  reached  WaHhin(|ton,  in  March,  IHiJi). 

Ill  IHiJO,  while  MesKi-.s.  AdaniM  and  t!lay  won;  in  power,  and  McK.srB.  Butirr, 
Van  Hiiren,  and  Marcy,  in  oiipoHitioii,  lliew  three  fieiitleinen,  beiiiir  'I"'"  fPsidmi 
at  Albany,  were  warm  i'rii^nilH  of  the  national  bank,  and  on  the.  lOth  of  July,  "on 
behalf  (d"themHelv(m and  their  fellow citizeiiH  of  Albany,"  memorialized  "  thcdirrn. 
ora  of  the  Ihiited  State.'*  Hank"  at  I'hiladelphia,  in  iliesc  words: — '''I'lie  limitpi) 
capital  (if  our  baiikw  IbrbidH  the  extension  (if  our  trad(\  Merchants  of  moderate 
fortune   are  discoura^iMl   from  taking  up  their  idiodo  amonf^  us,  from  a  kiiowlt'dj;! 

that  the  liaiikiiif,'  capital  of  tli(>   place  is  inedeiiiialn thi!  nature  of 

the  trade  which  would  be  prosecuted  hcr(\  would  in  a  great  measure  render  tk 
bills  of  a  branch  establisiied  at  this  place  the  circulating  medium  of  the  extensive 
rrgioim  whose  produce,  would  he  brought  to  market.  Insomuch,  therefore,  as  the 
cslablisbmiuit  of  a  branch  Ikm-c  would  not  only  bo  hiulily  advantageous  to  this  eitv, 
but  a  souHH!  of  jirofit  to  the  jiarent  institution,  we  hope  that  the  directors  r.f  the 
United  States  ]5auk  will  eslaidish  an  odice  of  discount  and  deposit  at  this  place. ' 
The  memorial  was  signed,  in  their  own  hand  writing,  by  "  Henjamin  F.  Uuller," 
"  W.  li.  Mariry,"  and  "  M.  A' an  Hiiien,"  who  coii.sideied  a  branch  at  Albany 
(juite  (^institutional,  and  were  anxious  that  the  bills  of"  the  monster,"  "  the  Biddic 
Bank,"  should  become  "  the  circulating  medium  of  extensive  regions." 

Their  request  was  refused.  Then,  Im/  not  til/  thai,  they  wheeled  round  in  sup- 
port of  .lackson — planned  the  deception  known  a.s  the  "  safety  fund,"  as  a  trap  in  j 
catch  igiioiauce,  and  the  moment  Mr.  \'an  Jliiren  found  himself  in  Clinton's  paddle. 
na  (lovernor  of  New  York,  he  told  the  legislature,  .Ian.  7,  IS'2!),  that  "  to  dispense  I 
with  Hanks  altogether  is  an  idea  which  seems  to  have  no  advocate;  and  to  make 
ourselves  wholly  dependent  on  those  established  by  federal  authority  deserves 
none.  If  these  ar(>  correct  views,  tin;  only  alternative  would  seem  to  be,  between 
R  renewal  of  the  charters  of  the  souriil  part  of  the  existing  Banks,  or  to  anticipate 
the  winding  up  of  these  concerns  BY  THE  INCORPORATION  OF  NEW 
INSTlTU'nONS." 

A  few  WiMiks  afterward  he  left  for  Washington  ;  and,  knowing  Jackson's  opinion  I 
of  the  iinconstilntioual  character  of  the  great  bank  which  had  declined  an  alliance | 
with  him  in  1H0(),  he  liegan  to  undermine  it — holding  out  to  Lawrence,  Cambreleng, 
Yanderpoel,  and    his  other  associates  in  New^  York  state  and  through  the  Union,; 
the  spoils  as  their  reward  for  assisting  in  its  overthrow.     The  national  treasure 
would  be  divided  among  the  confederate  banks — their  shares  would  ri-se  as  those  of 
the  V.  S.  sank — the  iioliticiansof  his  school  could  borrow  the  public  funds  througli 
the  Manhattan  and  other   ]iets — Lawrence   and   others  would  get  new  charters ai 
Albiiny.  and  their  share  of  the  plunder — the  whole  scheme  might,  and  no  doubt 
would  break   down — all  experieiuui   in  the   Union  had  shown   that  such  schemes 
must  break  down  from  sheer  lack  of  honesty  in  those  concerned,  but  (sven  in  failure,  [ 
which  must  not  take  place  till  he  was  President — even  in  failure  the  jiarty  leaders 
might  acquire  vast  profits.     He  was  an  old  banker,  thoroughly  versed  in  charterriil 
mysteries,  had  been  bank  director  of  the  Hudson  Bank,  that  paid  fi  cents  to  tkj 
dollar,  afterwards  bank-attorney,  attorney-general,  a  senator,  voting  for  banks, 1 1 
governor  to  recommend  more  of  them,  the  agent  of  Jacob  Barker,  and  the  pailnerl 
of  the  President  of  the  Bank  of  Washington  and  Warren. 

Mr.  Van  Buren  succeeded.  The  U.  S.  Bank  was  crushed.  The  revenue  «| 
bestowed  on  favorite  state  institutions  where  it  would  serve  the  purposes  of  per[ 
sonal  gain  and  political  ambition — the  administration  bade  the  pet  bankers  giveoiiij 
the  national  revenue  for  purposes  of  speculation.    Then  came  the  distribution  1 ' 


AT  ALBANY, 

t  liiBt  pliiirtercrt 
thc>  Union  lol 
.  lialC  ol'ddllari) 
I  til  tl'o  JJank. 
1  payments  on 
li.snmniipemcnt, 
r  Miit(!t*  paid  m 
ihc'iT  nolesak 
lulliiiliciiliotii,! 
■urilirH,  roRfi  ii, 
itH  value  whin 
,  IHi>». 
i/IesHTB.  Biitirr, 
X  then  rpsidciii 
ii  of  July,  "nil 
vA  "  tlicdirrn- 
-'•  'I'hn  limitprf 
Is  of  nuidcralf 
[1  a  knowlt'dci 
tli(!  nature  df 
(irc  render  ihi- 
1'  the  cxtensivfi 
lercfore,  as  the 
)iis  to  this  cilv, 
irectors  r.f  the 
at  this  place. ' 
in  F.  IJiiller," 
nch  at  Albany 
,"  "thcBiddIc 
s." 

1  round  in  sup- 
1,"  as  a  trap  Id 
linton's  saddli. 
it  "  to  dispense 
;  and  to  make 
lority  deserves  | 
to  be,  between 
iir  to  anticipalf  I 
)N  OF  NEW 

ekson's  opinion 
ned  an  alliance  I 
e,  Cambrelenf, 
ffh  the  Union, 
ational  treasure  I 
rise  as  those  of  I 
!  i'unds  throug!i[ 
i\cw  charters  ai 
t,  and  no  doubll 
t  such  schemes  I 
(!ven  in  failure, 
c  ])arty  leaders  | 
ed  in  chartem 
0  cents  to  tkl 
\g  for  banks,  1 1 
lud  the  partner  I 

le  revenue  wis  I 
iirposes  of  per- 1 
iuikers  giveouij 
listribution  1: " 


BUTLER  ON  THE  U.  8.  BANK— DANIEL  S.  DICKENSON.  99 

Mr.  Van  nure,.  sat  at  the  helm  of  Statp-saw  10,000  merchants  and  trading 
persons  ail  in  husiness,  and  000  bank.sshut  their  door.s  on  those  creditors  who  pre- 
mmled  their  ohl,^ra,ons.  The  Safety  Fund  followed.  Mr.  Jesse  Jfoyt  depoS 
he  p,|hhe  money  ,„    Jcons   the  broker's  Trust  Co.  Hank,  when  nobod/else'w  uld 

M  fu.^'"' Wr"'v'  '"; ''  '"  "";"'  '"".''^'^•'.-'^-  •<"'"  «l'^^-i  -'^"y  -..  honest  man 
i"lho  f.iee,  Mr.  VauHuren  de:seend..d  fr.-M.  the  chair  of  .stale-the  pa  bank.. 
were  ,se     a;,o.Mjr  aj^arn-the  sub-treasury  was  re.scH.,led-eredil  and  con  idence  re' 

urned,  to  van,sl.  a.  belore-..u,l  the  authors  of  all  this  mischief,  Messrs.  Va'i 
Hiirei,  aud  bis  rie.ids,  are  airain  at  the  helm  of  alfairs-Marcy  i,.  the  cabinet  Polk 
m  the  seal  .,(     lelferson,   JJu.ler  .l.stnct  attorney,   VVri,da\rovernor   ol   N.  Y 

the  Navy    Wetmore   navyaKentI  !  !,   Kdmoi.ds  on  the  bench,  Morris,  postmaster 
mll^aiVsome  '''  ^'"''"^"'"'^  I'""'"^  ^»'«  ^i^««.  "  '^H  things  to  all  Jn"  that  he 

W..  will  now  lift  up  the  curtain,  and  exhibit  to  the  reader  a  few  choice  samples  of 
he  secret  ..p.uions  and  proc-edings,  not  of  the  enemies  of  chartered  paper-money 

m    fo;  '.      ••' -f'"  "T- ^^""'r>  ^^'^^'•^"•'^'' ^""^  ''"''  Van  Huron  krmy,Ttru^! 


^^!rYo:i''n£l:::',^''"''  '^'^^^'"•'  ^^^'^  25.]-Address-Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq 


New  York.     [Private;. J 


Fcb'y  21th,  [1834.] 


JllJ^  n  .~  T  -."  ^"'  ^"  ^'''^  r^^'  ('"'''  ''"""S''  '""■^t  of  it)  in  yourseve- 
?  n  nl  r  ?  ?"''  '"'■'"■"'y  ''""'''V  ^'^"^y""  '"  «^'  the  censures  and  three-fourths 
Pr  ,1  f  "i?  T  Z^"''  """'' '"  ^h"""-  ^"  ^"'  «"PP"«inS  that  Newbold,  Georc^e 
Gnsvvold,  Stephen  Whitney,  or  any  of  the  old  federal  corr;mercial  men,  were  wi-'h 
us  01.   h,s  occasion,  for  any  other  reason  than  because  they  found   it  for  their  in- 

A  irZ  \rr  I  ""'MTMn"."/  T^^"  '""'''"'  '""'  '''"''•^  '^"  unwarrantable  idei. 
r^-^IW  A^rtVAV:^-  ^^*^^f^  ''""'''"'  ^^'"'  '^'"f''  PltKSKNT  Bank*  ouaju 
ZLftli:  ^^^??.'^  '"  ''"ff  '''"^«-''->t.  on  the  other  hand,  /  have  ne%r 
hnnjerfrctly  snlisficd  that  we  could  get  on  with  the  fmsiness  of  the  country  ivithout 

rirt'l!?.''!",'^'""'  "■''  '."  "'."'y."l''or  .ltiint[3,  tho  custom  of  Britain  Ikis  lieeii  followed  l.y  u^     Tliere  tlio  f,nv 

x^tu'-nT''  '''"••'''^'  "'"■''  '•"'  "lillii'ns  capital,  on  llic  principle  I  linvc  .stated,  wa^  rliartereil  at  Wnshin^nn 

.  i  I    10    t™  17   ''  ,''""■''"•  ^^  "'"  '^■'''^'""  ^"''=''  "<■  ^''«  I''-'^-''i<lei.t  Clinton.     The  war  fonvel-:  he  other 

n^!      i    ifes:  X  prevailed  in  [he  pul.lic  f.nance.s-the  repnl.lic 'Cowed  dep'e- 

aM.ih-r   Atth™"Bnf  ,^^^^^  bound  iLsel    to  pa.v  ttie  inlere.st  and  redeemihe  loans  in /'old 

•  wi?  0, ..  ,,f  i,      .      /?    .      ,    '^'   '  """"•'I'  >i"twnal  bank  was  ch:irtere(    by  Gon>'ro.-<s  and  Mr    Van  Riirpn 

!    «4     Mr    V  H'ii^wf^H  w''?h    '^'■-  ^'"^  r"^''  ^"^",'"  '^"■'  '^"J  Col'^nerYounTvotei  ITxfnnZ 

^mm^;A.{^ht'Zf^     <  'i'''"''"/'*.'  "J"'"-""  ""^  "'"  "''l  ''•'^nl^  '"  ""e  Senate  in  1811,  and    o  tl  e 

'M/i^iVcri\tfl,M  f^  Hupnorterof  the  new  liank.  and  Martin  Van  Buren  was  the  chief  awpporter  of 

;  wih  Mr  BMM?/,h  '!'•''  ""'"'  ?f  Prcfidentof  the  United  States,  in  thecaucusat  Washinnon    n   sKnd 

^    on^eu  0^.      e%s  ^nd'aJ'u's  Ba^lks^'twh!';  \"  '■'^°'"'f  ''"'^fT  '»  A..drew  jll^'kson  Vire'^L.tTstrni 

Ii™.    Wr  Til  ma,  R  tchT„  nnt  ??o,  '  w  'l''"''' ''« 'J^F^'^'i  ^^'  h  JelTeraon,  while  Van  Buren  ililTered  from 

Cruttford^ndagahmt  Jackson  Washington  Union,  took  sides  with  Van  Buren-for  the  Bank  ,nd 


100 


BUTLER,  THE  HOYTS  AND  CAMBRKLENO,    ON  THE  BANK. 


bOMh  SUCH  AOKNT.  But  Mr.  Taney  thinks  we  can,  and  lO'/i*'  is  tlie.  judee. 
Mr.  Uallatiii  also  omr  told  iiw  we  amid— and  1  am  Jvsirous  'lO  Tli  Y  IT  ;  because 
if  we  can  (jfet  on  witliuiit  any  of  tinx  mnchmtrij,  I  tliink  it  best  to  dispense  wiili  u, 
for  it  always  has  Ix^en,  and  always  will  be,  abused,  no  matter  who  controls  it,  we 
or  our  enemies. 

Come  what  will,  w'r;/i(/,s/  a,!/iirc  to  the  Prcs't  policy  FOR  THE  PRESENT, 
even  if  it  sends  us  all  into  the  numirity.  It  would  be  butter  to  jro  ten  years  into 
the  minority  than  to  rcc-harter  THE  Hank,  or  make  a  new  one  Nl)W. 

Truly  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 

Extract  of  a  letter,  B.  F.  Butler  to  Jesse  Hoyt— dated  Albany,  Dec.  14, 1832.- 
"The  President's  Proclamation  has  electrified  our  whole  community.     Next  to 

the  Declaration  of  Independence,  it  is  the  most  \^ state  paper  our  country's 

have  produced."     [The  words  left  out  are  torn  oft" in  tiie  original.] 


I-]xtract  of  a  letter,  Mr.  Butler  to  Mr.  Hoyt,  dated  Washington, . 
'  Mr.  Taney  and  myself  were  nominated  this  morning  ;  Mr.  Stev 
inder  consideration.     Thev  are  verv  furious  in  their  attaeki4  on  Str 


under 
b 


June  29, 1834.- 

Stevenson  is  also  yet 

hey  are  very  furious  in  their  attacks  on  Stevenson,  and  it  is 


by  no  means  certain  they  may  not  cill  for  information  about  MY  SUPPORT  OF 
THE  PRESIDENT  IN  HIS  PROTEST, 


authorized  by  me  to  speak  strongly, ' 


&c.,  in  which  event  Mr.  Wright  is 


Extract  of  a  letter,  Lorenzo  Hoyt  to  his  brother  Jesse— dated  Albany,  Dec.  19, 
1832. — "  I  think  the  [U.  S.]  Bank  question  will  enter,  more  or  less,  into  every 
other  political  one  that  is  agitated  here  this  winter— and  I  think  and  hope  thai 
our  friends  will  feel  no  disposition,  to  retrace,  in  any  degree,  their  steps  last  winter, 
As  a  party  in  this  State,  I  think  we  are  fully  committed  to  a  course  of  uncomvro- 
mmng  hostility  to   THE   PRESENT  J5anA— and   if  Old  Hickory  has  suffered 


himself  to  be  duped — which 
must  take  the  consequences 


think  not  unlikely — by  Livingston  and  McLane,  he 


Eight  Letters— Hon.  C.  C.  Cambreleng  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  at  New  York. 
[No.  1.]     Private.  Washington,  5  Feb.,  1832. 

DtAR  H.— I  received  to-day  the  memorial  in  favor  of  the  Bank  of  the  United 
States— it  is  signed  by  a  host— said  to  be  principally  the  friends  of  the  Adminis- 
tration, but  I  have  looked  over  the  list.  Our  friends  should  be  up  and  doing. 
This  is  forwarded  to  our  delegation  in  a  letter  signed  by  Gideon  Lee,  Meigs  D. 
Benjamin,  Dudley  Selden  and  William  Neilson.  It  says  the  memorial  originated 
with  the  supporters  of  the  present  administration. 

Sincerely  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

P.  S.  I  presume  it  is  signed  by  every  merchant  who  keeps  an  account  at 
the  Bank. 


[No.  2, 
to  be  up 


]     Private.     Washington,  Feb.  6,  1832.— Dear  II.— Get  the  Workies 
and  doing  on  the  U.  S.  B.  question.     They  are  democrats  in  principle. 
Very  truly  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 


[No.  3,]  Washington,  Jan.  10,  1833.— Dear  Sir— You  are  surprised  at  the 
appointment  of  Mr.  Alley  as  Bank  Director  instead  of  Mr.  Jackson.  I  was  neir- 
ligent  in  not  writing  to  Mr.  Jackson  a  second  time.  The  day  Mr.  White  left  here 
lie  stated  that  Mr.  M(!Lane  desired  us  to  say  who  should  be  appointed,  that  hi', 
Mr.  White,  had  named  Mr.  Alley.  I  told  him  that  I  was  committed  to  Mr.  Jack- 
son and  should  recommcMid  him— Mr.  White  then  said  that  he  would  concur  with 
me  111  supporting  Mr.  Jackson,  and  he  wished  mo  to  write  to  Mr.  McLane  that  lu' 
did  so  concur.  I  wrote  him  in  behalf  of  Mr.  White  and  mvself,  and  also  wmte 
him  that  I  understood  Mr.  Verplanck  to  be  also  favorable  to  Mr.  Jackson.  Alter 
this  I  presumed  the  matter  setthid,  and  so  wrote  to  Mr.  Jackson.  Some  davs 
after  I  learned  to  my  surprise,  from  Mr.  McLane,  that  in  consequence  of  .Mr. 
White's  having  named  Mr.  Alley,  whom  he  presumed  would  be  satisfactory  to  the 
Delegation,  he  had  gone  too  far  to  recede  before  he  received  my  letter.     1  ought 


CAMBRKLKNO'S  DUPLICITY  ON  II.  S.  I.ANK  QUESTION.  Wl 

0.  C.  CAMflRELENO. 

l..?/ii     in     irn.  ,  Washington,  lath  Feb.,  1833. 

.Zit",^t:Lt  tt."  I?  re„:it4't„.r.tirr//;r"  r''"« 

.p  for  J  monlh-Mr.  TiA,  m  „,  A  vIry  GWID     LAN  OP  T  «  a'm'S-""' 
.l.,ch  I  have  roluined.     Aafc  him  .„  send  mc  a  copy  of  L  ^  ''^'"'- 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

[No.    5.1  „r 

,,..„„      T     *  ,     ,  Washington,  16th  Feb.,  1832. 

prep     d  "irwrn'offe/ U  a  "si'on'^f  ^'^^  ""'TV  ^'^"^^'^  ^'^  ^  --'"»-» 

Tvi     .,         ^'"''e'^'^Jy  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

I  did  not  know  before  why  that  pape^as  so  bitter  against  Van  Buren. 

[No.  6.]     Washington,  14th  Feb      1812 —Dpmd  w      tu     i 
Albany  merelv  wish  to  mancBuvre  a 'little  ab^.!tfh.rT''  ^""^'"^  T""  ^» 
That  is  as  I  suspecf.     I  have  w?i^  en  wj  At    FL.rH^  "''"["^'^  *°  ^^^^  '^^'^"^«- 
wrote  him  also.^  We  shall  nriet  at  T HFRn,  iTf     .'  ^"^  ^lagg     Croswell,  I 
think  not.     The  more  we  disonJ  h  .Vf    *  ^  ^"^  t  ^eeks-at  least  I  should 

«/-;  Calhoun's  SlTn tr^^^Jn^e-S^^^^^^^^        ot     '  TrSenifema"''^;^' 
wrote  Mr.  Mumford  is  not  ...  friend-He  is  If  the  kSn/.cAS  '''"'"  ^'" 
bnicerel;-  /ours,  c.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

[No.    7.1  „r 

n..„  n      V  u  Washington,  14th  March,  1832. 

be  in  ule  mi7st  of  TnVlS-*  T  i°  f  ^^'"^  .^"^  representative  in  Congress.     We  shall 
nun?-L'n7fu1l™  al'Mr'j^ist"'  '"'  ""^  ^""^'^'^^  ^"°^'  ^--''  -<»  «t--" 

Sincerely  yours,      C.  C.  CAMBRKLENG. 

[No.  8.1    Prii'ati>  iir 

I)...  H     I  ,     ,     ,  Wmhimton,  I5ih  March,  1832. 

a»d  a    u   e7to"toca„°se  „1  U,  ff »  «"»1'7"< -f 'V  Editors  of  ihe  Courier 


if 


102 


CORNELIUCi  W.  LAWRENCE  FOR  THE  U.  8.  BANK. 


FEDERAL  SEN 


•lono  already.  He  and  Pitcher  vote  uniformly  with  the  opposition — and  Root 
yesttjnlay  (Inumnrrd  Tamniany  Hull,  anil  uunt  oprnli/  for  the  Prwter  Muir.  Another 
(M)iir8e  m  [>ur8iicd  which  they  will  find  in  the  end  will  ho  highly  injurious  to  the 
President — that  is,  preHsin^  the  Hank  hill  upon  him  at  this  soshion  with  a  moral 
certainty  that  if  it  reaches  him  the  ohli^jationa  of  j)uhlic  duty  will  compel  him  to 
return  it — as  entirely  premature — four  years  hefore  the  charter  expires.  The 
chart(!r  of  the  Hank  of  Knifland  expires  next  year  and  has  not  yet  heen  renewed— 
the  chartiir  of  the  I'last  India  Company  was  not  renewed  till  one  year  before  it 
expired — three-fourth.s  of  tho  President's  fritsnds  are  op|)08ed  to  the  Bank — and  he 
can  never,  iindi^r  such  cireumstan(!es,  do  otherwise  than  to  send  tho  bill  back— if 
he  had  no  other  motive  the  adjustment  of  tho  Tarilland  the  extinguishment  of  the 
public  debt — both  occurrinfj[  before  the  charter  expires — are  alone  sufficient.  It  is 
the  enemies  of  tin;  President,  such  as  liranch,  Wickliffe,  Daniel,  &c.  &c.,  united 
with  the  friends  of  the  Bank,  who  are  determined  to  send  this  bill  to  him,  expect- 
ing to  do  him  an  injury,  and  kill  the  Bank  too — which  its  friends  are  certainly  doing 
by  presstnif  it  now.  Sincerely  yours, 

C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 


Hon.  C.  W.  Lawrence,  M.  C,  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  Y. 
Franked,  per  mail.  Washington,  26th  Jan'y,  1834. 

My  Dear  Siu — I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  letter  of  tho  21st,  and  I 
AM  APPREHENSIVE  OUR  POLITICAL  FRIENDS  MAKE  A  MISTAKE 
IN  GOING  TOO  FAR  AGAINST  A  NATIONAL  BANK,  but  I  will  have 
the  pleasure  of  writing  a  few  days  hence. 

Respectfully,  your  assured  friend,  CORN'S  W.  LAWRENCE. 

The  same  to  the  same. 

Washington,  31st  Jan'y,  1834. 

My  Dear  Sir — I  can  scarcely  suppose  it  possible  that  I  could  have  written  any 
letter  to  authorize  the  paper  you  have  enclosed  to  me,  and  I  feel  deeply  mortified 
that  any  one  should  have  authorized  a  publication  in  a  newspaper.  May  I  beg 
the  favor  of  you  to  request  the  person  to  whom  it  was  directed  to  return  it  to  me, 
or  at  least  not  to  circulate  it,  and  if  any  one  should  speak  of  the  contents  of  my 
letters  please  mention  that  I  had  repeated  to  you,  that  my  letters  were  only  intended 
for  those  to  whom  they  were  directed. 

I  cannot  imagine  who  could  have  received  the  letter  alluded  to.  I  have  no  idea 
any  compromise  is  thought  of  by  either  political  party. 

It  is  my  individual  opinion  that  A  NATIONAL  BANK  with  vroper  restrictions 
and  subject  to  State  Taxes,  4c.,  WOULD  BE  USEFUL  TO  THE  GOVERN- 
MENT AND  COUNTRY,  and  I  know  there  are  other  individuals  in  Congress  of 
that  opinion,  and  that  is  almost  as  much  as  I  do  know. 

Respectfully,  your  friend,  CORN'S  W.  LAWRENCE. 


Senator  Wright  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt. 

Washington,  3d  Jan'y,  1834. 

My  Dear  Sir — Your  letter  and  the  enclosure  came  to  me  this  day,  and  I  have 
this  evening  sent  both  to  Mr.  Flagg,  with  such  suggestions  as  occurred  to  me. 
Nothing  can  be  clearer,  in  my  mind,  than  that  the  friends  of  the  Administration  in 
your  City  should  not  attempt  to  get  up  a  popular  meeting  upon  this  subject.  The 
legislature  is  the  proper  organ  to  speak  for  the  people  upon  this  important  subject, 
and  there  is  not  a  doubt  that  they  should  ac*  without  one  moment's  delay.  It  is  too 
late  to  fear  any  effect  from  the  allegation  that  our  State  leads.  The  subject  is  now 
before  the  Virginia  legiglature,  and  I  think  it  quite  likely  they  will  recommend  a 
restoration  of  the  deposits.  The  legislature  of  Ohio  have  acted,  and  go  strong 
against  the  Bank — in  favor  of  the  removal  of  the  deposits — and  against  the  land  bill. 
I  say  th^y  have  acted.  The  mail  to-day  has  brought  a  copy  of  their  resolutions, 
which  i.ad  passed  the  Senate,  and  which  Mr.  Morris,  the  Jackson  Senator  from 
that  State,  says  will  pass  the  House  3  to  1.  Every  legislature  in  the  Union  will 
act  upon  this  subject,  and  ours  will  not  be  behind. 


If  tho  frienf 

subject  will  be 

know  how  (o 

Miniirhnt  i.rrit 

The  stiite  of 

have  little  efToi 

embody  an  iiiu 

lln'  country  iroi 

I  have  no  tir 

I'reely, 

I  think  the  li 

1st.  Kxpresj 

2ih\.  Apprn> 

■'Ird.  Approv 

4th.  Approv 

ground  of  the  r 

abused  its  char 

These  points 

ihf  ftate  of  thin 


This  is  the  w 

iMr.  Van  Bui 

enable  him  to  v 

cm  anti-tariff  hi 

We  is  instruc 

Mr,  Silas  W 

national  Ireasur 

wlien  to  grind  ii 

In  1824,  Jud 

who  acted  witl 

station,  as  Judg 

New  York,  dire 

authorities,  and 

with  Senator  Bi 

at  Albany,  so  a 

president  and  i 

the  electors,  an 

electors,  and  th 

ornor  and  Asser 

[Post  mark.  Alb 

Dear  Sir — Mr 
Mr.  Riker,  mc 
considered  dnubtj 
electors.     Now 
on  that  subject  wi 
important  to  pre^ 

Mr.  Roger  S 
broke  down  in  cr 
ner  removed  to  A 
friend  Butler.  I 
Judge,  a  Senator 
of  the  Court  of  I 
State  Senator,  a 
Attorney  Genera 
it,  to  do  "  any  b( 
Iscariot  as  one  i 
America  for  placi 


have  no  idea 


FEDERAL  SENATORS  ANn  JUHOES   CONTROI.MNO  STATE  I,EOIsr,ATtrRE«.       103 

If  Iho  friomlfl  of  th  Hank  in  your  City  utfrnpi  to  pet  up  a  popular  meetinff  the 
,ubj.o  wil  he  ono  wlnrh  the  fnends  of  ,he  Aclmin,8tration\u/,hV  Rr  oZlwnTbelt 
know  how  to  chsposo  ol-l,ut  m  any  oth.-r  way  I  ,lo  not  think  ll  ZVJ,our 
mimr/iat  rrntrd  jmpulntion  should  be  called  to  aol  ^  ■' 

The  strite  of  feelinff  lu-re  is  very  violent,  and  popular  meetinpR  cither  way  can 
have  l.ttle  effect      .St.ll  I  .should  dislike  to  see  a  .neetinp  in  New  York  "emmir  to 

J  have  no  tnno  lo  write  farther-but  shall  bo  happy  to  hear  from  you  often  and 

I  tliink  the  lepiHlnfnre  should— in  the  shortest  possible  lancuaffe— 
St    hxpress  an  opinion  apainst  the  re-charter  of  the  Hank  in  any  form 
2nd.  Approve  of  the  communication  read  to  the  Cabinet  on  the  18th  Sent  last 
.Ird,  Approve  of  the  change  of  the  deposits.  ^ 

4th.  Approve  of  the  reasons  given  by  the  Secretary  for  that  chanae,  both  on  the 

SILAS  WRIGHT,  JR. 

Thi.s  is  I  he  way  things  are  done.     Is  it  the  right  way  ' 

Mr.  Van  Buren  U.  S.  Senator,  Washington,  wishc-s  his  friends  in  Albanv  to 
enable  lum  to  vote  for  the  tariff"  of  1828,  and  yet  retain  the  goo!  w  H  ?f  hL  south 

Mr,  Silas  Wright,  holding  the  same  office  in  1834,  preferring  pet  banks  to  a 
n.uonal  treasury,  instructs  the  State  legislature  what  to  ask  for,  h^ow  to  ask  it  and 
when  to  grind  ant.-bank  music  out  of  "  the  proper  organ"-and  ' 

hi  1824,  Judge  Skinner  of  the  Albany  Regency,  a  name  given  to  the  leaders 
who  acted  with  Van  Buren,  thought  it  quite  consistent  with  the  duties  of  hk 
s^^atmn   as  Judge  of  the  United  Stttes  District  Court,  to  write  Mr  Je  se  Hovt^ 
New  York,  d.rectmg  him  to  call  upon  Recor- er  Riker,  a  Judge  under  the  State 

h  S.    ';  '  n   ^''  '^™  '"/''•  ^'^^  2"^«»  '^"'J  »he  party  by  u!ing  his  influence 

iih  Senator  Burrows,  to  induce  Burrows  to  turn  the  scale  in  the  S^^nate  Cliambe? 

at  Albany,  so  as  to  prevent  the  passage  of  a  law  giving  the  choice  of  eWfn?«nf 

iTtz::\:rs%tV'  h  ''r.-  The'iegisiitThoL'dtsirJ 

ini  eiLctors,  and  Mr.  Van  Buren  feared  that  the  people  might  choose  Jacksrn 

tT^n/f  ^'"'V'^'t'  ^""'"H"^-  .  ^^'  ">='"='&^d  the  lenatefo  as  to  defeat  Gov". 
ornor  and  Assembly,  who  were  for  the  bill. 

(Post  mark,  Albany.]  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  New  York 

Mr'SS^-%^r  ^•,^"'™^^  °f  ''^  Senate,1t7eit3'i:f  tith 
^     J' /"^  Recorder.  (;,l  any  rate  he  is  attached  to  Mr.  Riker>    Burrow,  il 

1 /,// ;, ;    T  ^   I  '^  ^'-  ■^''"'i  '^  '"  sentiment  with  us,  his  letter  to  Mr.  Burrows 

mnor/nn  /      ""^    f'^f  ^^^  '"•^"^'''  ^"'^  y°"  ™=^y  ^^  ^^^^ured  that  every  vote  k 
important  to  prevent  the  change  contemplated.     Cordially,  R.  SKINNEr! 

Mr.  Roger  Skinner  opened  his  law-store  at  Sandy  Hill,  and  when  Mr  Rntlpr 
oke  down  in  credit  and  character,  as  Jacob  Barker's  man  of  aU  work  there   Sk  n 

H  nSZSer     f^^Z'^.W    '  ''''''  '"'^•^""^^  ''^^  ^'^  l^^P^"  ^"^  °S  tots 

2p  .<\       }tf^^^^'^  grasping  partisan  was  at  the  same  time  U.  S.  District 

Jdp,a  Senator  of  N.Y.  state,  a  Member  of  the  Council  of  Appointment  and  also 

oie  Court  of  Errors.     Mr.  Van  Buren  took  pay  at  the  sameSrand  acted  as 

A  tnlrSr^  S  Y  ''.'d'^""'  "I'^''""'  ^  ^^"'^^^  ^''^''"^  "^^'^'^  '^at  court 
k  to  ?l7u        I   ,"^N•Y•.  and  a  practising  attorney,  ready,  as  his  son  politely  puts 

s'c  iot  3  f^^  ^V  r'^-  PV  ""^  ^''V  before  me  the  choice  of  jfdas 
AmlTJf  T  "*  ^^t-  ^'^^iT^  '^r^^^'^^'  I  ^'^""Id  scarcely  forgive  the  freemen  of 
America  for  placmg  Martin  Van  Buren  among  our  eleven  presidents 


DISHONEST  COURSE    OF  THE  REGENCY  ON  CURRENCY. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

"  Get  up  the  Workies.'"  "  A  inry  good  plan  of  a  Bank:'  C.  C.  Canihrcleng  m- 
cloakerf.  Ili.i  amrsc  liist  war.  Ik  sets  vp  fur  Conarcss,  and  wears  two  faces  at 
Washington.  The  Veto  and  Drposi/e  !^ys'/cni.  Mr.  Duane.  T/te  Specie  Clause . 
A  National  Bank,     George  M.  Dallas.     Silas  Wright. 

Tlio  Pru;sl)ytr,iin;i  (Jliurch,  of  wliieli  Mr.  Biitlcr  is  such  a  prominent  member, 
holds  to  the  flocirine,  that  at  the  day  of  judjiiTieiit,  [which  Mr.  Miller,  whoii.  Col. 
Yoiina  spcalcs  liighly  of,  helieves  to  he  near  at  hand,]  the  sins  of  the  righteous  will 
he  all  proclaimed  to  the  assemh'ed  world,  and  that  the  saints  will  vie  witii  each 
oihcr  in  anxiety  to  confess  their  most  secret  and  shameful  vices  and  crimes,  in  order 
that  Chri.et  may  ohtaiii  the  greater  glory  tlirough  their  pardon  for  his  sake.  Though 
less  disposed  than  Mr.  H.  to  mix  up  politics  and  religion,  I  would  mention  tiiat ' 
hut  antic'j)ate  a  little  his  own  wishes,  according  to  his  own  creed,  hy  stating  ^vith 
great  candor  here  what  he  has  said  and  done  elsewhere.  Many  b-ographies  are 
mere  pufis  iuid  panegyrics,  like  that  which  he  urged  Mr.  Hoyt  to  coax  "  the  Youns 
Patroon"  out  ot",  in  order  to  gull  the  Alhany  Dutch,  and  make  inore  plunder  to  his 
relative,  Barker,  out  of  the  >V.ishirigton  and  Warren.  1  am  ambitious  to  be  im- 
partia'i. 

Mr.  Butler  is  known  as  the  reputed  author  of  some  of  the  most  violent  of  Jackson's 
State  papers  against  the  bank— as  his  most  steadfast  counsellor,  (except  Kendall), 
in  its  destruction.  Compare  this  with  his  conduct  in  1824 — his  petition  of  '26— and 
his  letter  of  '31,  in  my  last  chapter.     How  the  Ex-Cashiev  of  Jacob  I3arker  sneers 


republican  bank,  and  branches — get  plunder  for  our  party — and  raise  other  banks 
of  a  still  mon  dangerous  character,  on  its  ruins ! 

"  Mr.  Tihbets,''  says  Cambreleng  to  Hoyt,  Feb.  1832.  "  sent  me  a  very  good 
plan  of  a  bank."  W  hat.  was  it?  Look  in  the  New  York  papers  of  that  data— they 
record  Mr.  Tibbets's  "  very  good  plan,"  that  oleased  Mr  Cambrelenc.  thf.  nre. 
tender  to  the  principles  of  Jackson. 


that  pleased  Mr    Cambreleng,  the  pre- 


Mr.  Tibbets's  plan,  which  [suited  Cambreleng,  was  for  a  bank  to  be  located  in 
New  York,  as  "  The  National  Union  Bank,"  with  a  capital  of  35  millions,  which 
woulJ  be;  in  business  the  moment  the  chai  er  of  the  Philadelphia  bank  over  which 
Mr.  Biddle  presided,  had  expired.  It  was  to  iiave  branehes  in  each  state  of  the 
Union,  with  the  consent  of  its  legislature,  was  not  to  circulate  more  than  35  millions 
of  its  paper  at  once,  and  to  have  the  deposites,  be  the  pet,  keep  the  public  treasure, 
allow  three  per  cent  on  government  deposits,  (chargiiig,of  course,  6  or  7  for  loans,) 
and  its  notes  were  to  be  used  in  payments  to  the  J.  S.,  the  army,  navy,  &c.  "A 
very  good  plan  of  a  bank  "  this,  quoth  the  comincrct  J  represr.itative  of  New  York, 
in  his  secret  missive  to  his  brother  speculator.  Yc.  he  publicly  denounced  what  he 
secretly  desired — and  wrote  Hoyt  soon  after  '■  that  it  would  be  well  enough  to  let 

*  "  Get,  the  Workio.s  to  Iwup  and  iloinir.  ''Wlir.l  were  Ihey  to  do.  Mr.  Canibreleng— wlial  was  your  object! 
To  place  nno  million  of  Uio  piihlic  treasure  in  the  Commonwei'lili  Bank,  Boston— twelve  milliona  more  in 
I  lie  i\|anlialtan.  MechanJM,  aiui  Bank  ,(  Anieriai,  N.  Y.— two  and  ,i  half  millionr  in  the  Gi rare'  I^ank, 
Philadelphia,  (little  uood  it  did  it)— .S'2.(;i0,r)9f,  in  the  Planter's  Bank,  Natchez— $i,fiR2.7-l-l  in  a  couple  of 
pets  at  Detroit— and  rai.se  Corning'.s,  01..ott'.s,  Brnr..?nu'a,  Cro.sweir.s,  Vanderponl's,  Hudley's,  Marcy's,  Bill' 
li:r's,  Dix's,  and  Porter's  stocks  in  the  SiU'eiy  Fund  Banks  created  in  \>i'i\  and  'Ha.  The  new  stock '..wardft! 
to  these  te;i  men  in  these  years  was,  at  par,  worth  ovci"  5>'-2<H),tKIO.  and  at  1,')  per  cent,  (the  uverace  eain.is 
per  Marcy).  'hey  ffaincd  .«;W.(XKl  from  this  speculation  done!  The  way  they  cot  the  stock  id  "hewn  by  a 
letter,  Dr.  i\Ia.-;;"ell  lo  Zeno  Allen,  the  P.  M.  at  Sacketl'a  Harbour,  N.  Y.,  dated, 

Albany,  January  7,  IS.'S. 

Dear  Judge— ^  ours  ju  -t  received.  There  arc  more  applications  for  Ranks  this  year  than  ever  Iwfore.  Y"!i 
must  nuike  out  a  cninplete  list  of  directors,  ollicers,  &c.  and  ifohtaincd  you  must  know  n/w.  It  niustbca 
Jack.sou  Bank ;  and  ihe  Batik  junt-)  in  this  place,  n'ujt  be  allowed  a  finger  in  the  pie.     Vonrs  trnly, 

T    ,    ..       .,on.  .  ^  ^H-  MAXWELL." 

Ii'  l>%l.i  and  I'-M,  u  part  of  the  same  men  sot  other  .8200,nn()  wo,-tIi,  and  cicvred  the  s.nne  profits.  Il  \i  a 
fact  that  ti.e  deposits  in  Olcott's  Bank,  Albany,  raiseil  its  stock  .5(1  percent,  above  par.  The  Workies.  liieii. 
were  wanted  by  C.  C.  C.  In  play  secou  i  liddlo  to  a  b.and  of  i-raliy  speculators- and  .vhen  many  of  the 
new  made  h.niks  were  "sucked"  by  the  few,  they  would  be  shut  up  till  thev  had  "sucked  in"  theniaiiv. 
Let  n.  1).  D,  he  a  Bank  dir.-^rinr,  wilt,  ^m)i\  f^tork  in  i=U(\!  ,\  i!a,  k  as  "the  City"  in  Bnffiilo.  He  iw!WW= 
.»ti(l.i;:H)  for  fiHir  months— his  collea!;ues  liorniw  in  same  way- -the  hank  breaks  a.s  they  meant  ii  slmiilil- 
eai-h  loses  his  stock.  'lis  true,  «.')(KH),  lint  be  hnys  the  noljs  of  the  hank  at  lo  to  .''id  cents  per  dollar,  tiaysliis 
«G0,000  debt  with  #12,(10(1  to  .sa5,aw,  and  makes  S2(i,00u  to  .«30,l)00  by  the  operation  I 


Oi'.e  jrrjai  oSi 


iliat  ( tnust  spi.'a'i 


"anilrelcvg  un- 
!  two  faces  at 
Sjiecie  Clauit. 


nent  member, 
'T,  whoiii  Col. 
righteous  will 
vie  witii  eadi 
imes,  in  order 
ake.  Though 
neiitiori  tiuit ' 
y  stating  ^vith 
ogruphies  are 
;  "  the  Youns 
plunder  to  his 
)us  to  be  ira- 

it  of  Jackson's 
:ept  Kendall), 
n  of  '26 — ami 
Barker  sneers 
to  the  present 
loing,"*  says 
■own  one  ami- 
3  other  banks 

a  very  gooii 
at  data— they 
leng,  the  pre- 

be  located  in 
illions,  which 
ik  over  which 
h  state  of  the 
m  35  millions 
iblic  treasure, 
r  7  for  loans,) 
?y,  &c.  "A 
if  New  York, 
inced  what  he 
enough  to  let 

was  your  object! 
niillioiia  more  in 
ihR  Girarc'  I^ank, 
il  in  a  couple  of 
's,  Marcy's,  Biii' 
JW  stock  ..mirdei! 
'.  av«race  gain  i' 
k  io    'hewn  hya 


iHiary  7,  I'^.'S. 
ever  Iwfore.  Y"!! 
/w.     It  must  be  a 
iir.s  Iriily. 
MAXWELL." 
c  piMtils.    It  is  a 
itt  Workiea.  then, 
lien  many  of  the 
eti  iu"  the  many, 
alo.     He  ni)rfi>w- 
eaiit   ii  slmulil- 
r  dollar,  [wys  Ins 


01tOA.VIZ.iI,  STOCK-JOBHNO-CHBRCHILL  C.   CAMBBELENC-.  105 

Sfi:^;!^,™;';',?;  'i:Sz^j''^!'i  '"^'  ■•-'»••  ?r" »"  '■""-j 

,1.1  ■!«/  (r1.ii.cr3  llv.ntl.'"  ■?  u  ""  "'■'""  '"  J'"""'  "  I""  "1.  the 

N-tt;?  ;.';rt :,;,— ;T,fj::^ 

; . ;™  i';;  iie'c  ,rtj"r ;,  ',;•  ™" ' ' "  ^'  "'■  ■"-■i  i"";'.' '-  •  T„'a  i 

ll..:ii'.al.   w.Sc*  wa.,   n  in,  J  b,    1   f '°J,  [",  European  tupcrcarg,.  „f  ,|,.  ,|„p 

.,^a,  E„„.eh  p.»p„„.  t„"tic'';:«;'LSM^;r.„t25h^C''-.  .rA,'i;Sc'l  •'( 

(*•  «s  u;«/  oV/ra/,„„s  conlractlt  in  ,,'>       fn  iV,"^?  "'""■'  "^'^ .V'P'r  money  without  takivg  a,rau 

ta  s,,f„e  sfmdcrd!    I»  the  unre.irainj'l  ,k.  ,(^  tf,,'^./.?..?;         It^oi.sanU  hauks  lie  ei,uitubly  adfusted 

■  profe,.e„ce  over  tho.e  of  IWO  ^ivii^^'^^^-Z^l'^'V/ ;,:!'^''\  '!'"  l'>«  ""!".'^''  ProMti.ef.o  pay  lave  a 

,  |l  to  the  .„.,tio„  .i     If  |,ank,s  are  nect  Ja  v  V.  X  e  naL,    a        ''^  "  '"■ '?  J'""  ""  ("'""'i"''^   why  nm  pay 

1  ^e  leve.)  wouhl  not  one  Hank    on  allornVS ' C-nrmL^i^n^l  *''ff  """"""■y,-  <"  ''"^^  '  •'"  <"■><■ 

11  ..IS  llotuliog  the  country  with  ihi-ir  u,-.ni,',  ,m,,ni'  ,,rv  ,,o,p^  f.^f  "''^''■'''' **  ''!  "  i""l'i'>"le  of  instiiu- 

ai    liU^.m..  up   l;y  hroker.,  t!,oir  oivn  ohli^aiio  s-each  li  1  tr  m  u\l-V>'  '"""""  '"  «-*"'«''''''  l-a-'kruptcy 

I'lsframers  of  the  United  SVites  OVi^ilTntim,   ,~f,?V^     "^''^  '",'^' "''^ 

]  Mtobhtine  for  the  tni.ery  "h  oT  n  „    el  'e,  p-^pe  ^  u^^^^^^^^         ^''"  ^^',  """'"'  «^''  "^  ^'"'^^y.  b"'  are 

I  d'Hiii;,!,'  tl.  It  •■  thj  ..J  I.--.!  tv'lfi.e"   V  1,1,1  r, Mi  1  .  i     T    I  '','"  "^'''ailed  U[x.n  the  Union.     So  far  from 

|>  '  ap..rtof  ihe  ...vere,,,.  p  v'v  ,-ove   u  Uu  rt^nc?  ufi  nri^v'.f '  °'  ^''.'^Co'>','re..  wonUI  be  competed   to 

I  Ac   and  ti,e,.  give  them  the  p„',lic  pur.  e  as  a"  .ci  L'  ^d^  n' ,?  association  of  .lockjohbers,  capitalists, 

en.  ea  mo  ne  I  corp  tration  inl  pr  Uiihite.  the  «mie3  n-om  r.  ,   '  ""'^  'absolutely  forl«.le  Congress  ever  to 

j    Til..  Co  islitntiou.  however,  has  bje  i  se    at  no i,   'n     r      "I"  "'""■^>'  '""  ''""'"-  ^'"'^  "f  "edit. 

'[^^^^^'^''U'iUnMlZ!^-::;^^^  .h.  paper  or  a  tbousan.i  irresponsible  a..o. 

»'i^e„c,i,.f  atr.un.^v.  the  pnl.lic  re  4n  e-   ,1,e  Iv    1  o,  ^  ^, '"'"  ^'"''^  ^'^'J"''  '"  *^"''^'""  !'^^-''«.  i"  'l>e 
.'■-l^'.ial  aid  p.,l:tical  'Tti,  Uai  ,1  I  le     L,  ur  ■   Li'    f      '     l"""^"'"'/"'-  la.id  a,id  .stock  ;.|)«r,l„ns  or 

'■•!;nc-the.se  certaioly  a-e  ■,.,<.  a  k  aTi,;.'''' We  l.t te  i  oi  1  'Tnt'Ti;'  'f .  '""""'  '^■""■'  "'"'^  ""  ""^  "■'ail 
.   '«'ailto.si.iw  whai  f  .,.1||p  •„,. ,   k,,,.  r  „  \t        ^'"  ?  "" '"^ '^"l ''«  ■■'''C. 

-.oe,  Vau  Buren,  Butler;  Wri^J:  f1^^:;,^  'l^.swdl^uwe  don^-U^i."""  ""=  ^'^'''"-  Cambreleug,  Law 


■  Eve,i  here  already  patriots  learn  to  steal 
i'leir  iinvale  periui.iites  f.-.nn  public  -..•eal 
A  1(1,  ffii.y,  laos  of  the  conntry's  sacred  (ire. 
rt8i=.,if!„h,„,„,    .,  ^"'^'^'^'•''^''I'f'e^*'''.  li.ey  let  the  (lame  for  hire." 

rep.s^^:l"  U^^\:^  l^:;t,  Cte  ^Ol^^y^^  ''r^  ^™""  --^  ''"S'-"  in  .he  .heory  of  our 
>|"iiy  10  nnku  th.iir  Din  i  shn''il4  i.v„l    1 1  '  ""  '?""'''e  slock- (.bbios  oli-a-chv    wh..    I,v  their 

reelitors  aitor.tii^^/v'  .'eve^^c  A"4  ^n^   Int/rr.ri'J^  '"  """"i."  «"'"="'"  "'  '"^  re.leem  the.n-"^' 
'5  ma«  mini.f.cluros  and  real  es?at(^^  ,ll,''r  „ X'm!   w  i!    i'"  ^'"^  ''^"^  ''^e'''"'"'  ^>-~"""'  •^a...  for  a 
.uUii-M  a,  o.v.e..s,ve  as  life,  and  t  .ausf'rra  Je^re^si  ,i«    H.  r"'  "' .™"'«lh«  ^-alue  of  labor,  make 
o;;r  a,„t  ,,i,  „^g.,^  ^^,^^.^_^  h.,is«  wt;;  ,;i!':^"J'^^^^^^^^^^  .]atu.n  of  gamesters,  and 

5--,  '^■ul  still  ft,o.,r  are  ,/,  i  cowlitiou'to  amiUlhli^.I^Z  Ll"^i '?'","'  ."W.f.w  cu„  <u„hrst,.nd  the 
Vil..r*,V"\'I}P^"'"'  ^»  '■•«>''«  th.  ass  ?  ./t  a"Tir-irAZi?Cn^''  *'«"'''«^ffr  .  T'le  Frenchman,  in 
'-1^. ...  th«  Wall  .tret  brow.  L   ,^Jd  ^rrcL-LU^Sfi  ["^  wiXtoS'^r^'c;'  ^  "'"' 

14 


106         CAMBRELENG POLK's  INSULT  TO  THE  MEMOKY  OF  JACKSON. 


agiinst  fr!!edom  everywhere.  Under  his  management,  th?  Hannibal  changed  her 
colors,  anil  he  continued  abroad  trading  in  her  until  about  the  close  of  the  wwr.  On 
Monday  the  7th  of  Nov.  1814,  the  patriotic  C.  C.  C,  arrived  at  New  York,  in  the 
Ilannibal,  under  Prussian  cohirs,  50  days  from  Bremen,  with  a  full  cargo  of  iron 
and  German  goods,  consigned  to  him.  Mr.  Wm.  B.  Astor  was  his  fellow  pasten- 
gcr.  Mr.  Cambreleng  turned  commercial  commission  broker  in  New  York — added 
politics  to  his  avocations,  by  way  of  variety,  in  1820— stood  out  for  slavery  in 
Mi8£.)uri,  and  the  "peculiar  institutions" — and  in  1821,  being  without  family  or 
incumbrance,  offered  his  services  to  represent  New  York  in  Congress,  declaring, 
through  the  National  Advocate,  April,  1821 — "I  am  opposed  to  slavery,  or  an 
extension  of  slavery,  in  whatever  shape  it  may  appear."  Was  this  true?  His 
voles  in  the  teeth  of  his  principles  are  the  surest  answer. 

We  have  seen  that,  while  openly  advocating  the  destruction  of  the  United  States 
Bank,  and  denouncing  all  national  banks  as  evils,  he  was  secretly  planning  the 
establishment  of  one,  on  a  gigantic  scale — that  while,  with  consummate  hypocrisy, 
he  was  denouncing  "  exclusive  privileges,"  he  was  openly  strengthening  that  sys- 
tem through  the  deposile  or  pet  banks,  and  anticipating  the  vast  gains  on  shares  and 
management  and  jobbing  to  be  got  out  of  the  new  "  mammoth  "  whose  "  exclusive 
privileges  "  he  and  his  confederates  would  have  for  sale.  The  United  States  Bank 
had  25  branches,  or  banks,  associated  with  it — it  desired  to  establish  another,  and 
hesitated  between  Rochester,  Oswego,  and  Buifulo.  Mr.  Cambreleng  was  employed 
to  look  at  the  locations — and  he  did  so,  and  reported,  for  a  fee  of  $  1000. 

Let  the  honest  farmers  of  Long  Island,  and  the  liberal  merchants  of  New  York, 
compare  his  public  language  with  his  secret  instructions  to  his  needy  and  corrupt 
instrument,  Mr.  Hoyt. 

On  the  23d  of  Oct.  1832,  Mr.  Cambreleng  thus  wrote  to  M.  M.  Quackenboss  and 
others  : 

"  The  veto  of  the  President  on  the  bill  to  renew  the  charter  of  the  Bank  of  the 
U.  S.,  will  be  long  and  gratefully  remembered  by  all  who  feel  the  necessity  of 
adhering  to  constitutional  principles — who  deny  the  wisdom  and  justice  of  exchsm 
prioilegrs — and  who  believe  it  unsafe  to  arin  government  with  dangerous  and  un- 
neressary  power." 

Mr.  Cauibreleng's  secret  letters  to  Hoyt,  in  favor  of  a  national  bank,  with  exclu- 
sive priL-ilrgcs,  are  dated  on  the  12th  and  14lh  of  February,  1834.  Just  one  month 
before  that,  in  a  reply  to  Mr.  McDuffie,  which  fills  six  columns  of  Dwight  & 
Townsend's  Advertiser,  he  talks  as  follows  on  toother  side — 

"  No  effectual  reform  of  the  banking  and  currency  of  this  country  can  take  place 
/(■//  we  aholish  our  national  bank  note  circulation.  That,  sir,  is  the  first  step.  The 
next  will  be  the  restoration  of  our  gold  currency." 

This  helped  Van  Buren  to  hoodwink  Jackson,  who  was  really  sincere  in  his 
desires  for  a  specie  currency.  His  courtiers  were  the  very  basest  of  hypocrites,  the 
most  consummate  of  knaves.  In  Sept.  1837,  Mr.  Polk  placed  Cambreleng  at  the  head 
of  the  chief  committee  of  Congress  on  Finance.  When  the  bubble  burst  Van 
Buret!  had  the  reins,  and  Jackson  wrote  from  the  Hermitage,  July  9,  1837— 

"  Tilt!  hidtorv  of  the  wnrUI  nr^ver  has  rccnnli'd  siicli  lia^e  treachery  and  perfidy  as  has  lieen  committed  by 
Iha  doposite  Ixinks  against  the  Government,  and  purely  with  the  view  of  cratifying  Biddle  and  the  Baiinss, 
and  1)V  tlie  suspension  of  specie  payments,  dec:rade,  embarrass,  and  ruin,  if  they  could,  their  otrn  rouvtrij 
for  the  selfi,sh  views  of  making  large  profits  by  throwing  out  millions  of  depreciated  paper  upon  the  people- 
anllini  th;ir  specie  at  lane  premiums,  and  buying  np  their  own  paper  aldiscoiints  of  from  25  to  50  per  cent 
aid  now  looking  forward  to  be  indulged  in  these  speculations  for  years  to  come,  before  they  resume  specio 
payments."* 

This  was  the  very  course  that  Butler,  Barker,  and  the  party  had  pursued, 
meant  to  pursue,  and  now  steadily  follow.  The  wonder  is  that  thep-o/fs«o?t.sof  the.? 
leader  deceived  so  many  of  us.  Jackson's  wish  to  restrain  the  vicious,  fraudulent 
bankers  was  noble — but  why  did  he  remove  Mr.  Duane,  his  true  and  tried  friend, 
when  the  latter  advised  a  thorough  enquiry  by  a  committee  cf  Congress  into  the 
whole  banking  system,  in  1834,  with  a  view  to  a  permanent  system  of  finance,  apart 
from  all  banks  1  When,  in  1837,  the  banks  had  got  the  plander,  when  their  vaults 
had  been  emptied  by  speculators,  and  no  treasure  remained,  Mr.  Van  Buren  pre- 

*  Mr.  Polk  and  his  trading  cabinet  have  selected  a  cornipt  stnck-jotaher,  the  president  of  one  of  the  very 
worst  of  these  frandulant  institutiong,  thus  justly  condemned  liy  Andrew  Jackson,  as  Collector  of  Customi 
at  Now  York,  and  his  (the  collector's)  bank  and  others  of  the  '  treacherous  and  perfidious'  depositories  of 
lS36-r,  are  actually  re-clwsea  Ilii  Polk,  in  18-14-5,  to  play  over  a^ain,  of  course,  tho  aamtt  dishoiies! 
gam*. 


tended  great  n 
hollow.  Ml-.  U 
at  the  banks  k 
clause  was  or 
Young  till  afti 
day.  The  rel 
ailvo'-ates  I  hi 
tion  of  finance 
treasury,  was 
future  correct- 
tlie  country  wli 
ble  statesman, 
and  artful  cor 
hungry  and  dii 
and  the  Russii 
the  reply,  but 
successor  sits 
the  Union. 

Although  M 
due  time  took 
ment  on  the  E 

Let  us  seleci 

"Of  ill  thecnrre 
OILS  in  its  effects  n] 
the  pre.servation  of 
coiiiiecied  with  the 
of  commercial  cred 

"It  is  a  common 
so.  sir;  but  if  it  is 
perience.  It  is  trm 
from  Pennsylvania 
series  of  years,  the 
tions,  in  constantl) 
prudent  limits,  whi 
nual  and  steady  ace 

He  conclude 
national  bank 
your  governme 

Go  back  nov 
him. 

Mr.  George  i 
pillars  of  the  s 
son,  too,  was  a 
he  was  appointi 
well  drilled  act< 
Tnion.  Mr.  R. 
of  the  treasury 
Natchez,  in  fav 
Senator  for  Mi 
whole  paper  sy; 
and  ruinous  to 
banking  institut 

Silas  Wright 
and  a  resident  o 
Wright,  (who  i 
poadjutor  and  i 
Wright  was  a  s 
1824,  Mr.  Wrij 
Van  Buren  part 
though  he  sat  tl 
party  had  the  i 
Bulkr's  private 
ton,  whom  in  d 
plan  of  revising 
suggsstion— am 


CSON. 

1  rhanged  her 
the  Wh'r.  On 
I  York,  in  the 
cargo  of  iron 
felluw  pasi-en- 
York — added 
for  blavery  in 
tout  family  or 
;S3,  declaring, 
slavery,  or  an 
is  true?    His 

United  States 
planning  the 
ite  hypocrisy, 
nwg  that  Gys- 
on  shares  and 
56  "  exclusive 
i  States  Bank 
another,  and 
was  enrployed 
)00. 

if  New  York, 
y  and  corrupt 

ackenboss  and 

e  Bank  of  the 
e  necessity  of 
ce  of  ejclusm 
;rous  and  un- 

ik,  with  exclw 
ust  one  month 
of  Dwight& 

can  take  place 
•St  step.    The 

sincere  in  his 
lypoerites,  tlie 
!ng  at  the  head 
)le  burst  Van 
I,  1837— 

«en  committed  hy 
e  and  the  Bminss, 
heir  otrn  coutilnj 
upon  the  people- 
25  to  50  per  cent, 
hey  resume  sp«cic 

had  pursued, 
essions  of  thcit 
lus,  fraudulent 
I  tried  friend, 
gress  into  the 
['finance,  apart 
en  their  vaults 
m  Buren  pre- 

nf  one  of  the  ver' 
Hector  of  Customi 
mss'  depositories  of 
ts  sama  disboneit 


DUANE,  CAMBRELENG,  DALLAS,  WALKER  AND  WRIGHT. 


lor 


tended  great  anxiety  for  iron  treasuries  to  hold  the  specie— but  here  again  all  was 
hollow.  Ml-.  Hoyt  smoney,  under  Mr.  Van  Huren's  direct  superintendence,  was  left 
at  the  banks  kept  by  Joseph  D.  Beers  and  Cornelius  VV.  Lawrence— the  specie 
clause  was  only  talked  of,  to  please  "  the  Workies"  and  such  men  as  Colonel 
Young  till  after  the  election  !  Mr.  Hoyt  did  not  dream  of  enforcing  it  for  a  sint^ie 
dav.  1  he^  relative  positions  of  Hoyt,  the  Van  Burens,  and  other  pretended  si.ecie 
ailvo'-ates  1  have  already  shewn.  Mr.  Duane's  course  relative  to  the  great  ques- 
tion of  finance  on  which  he  was  called  to  pronounce  a  judgment,  as  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  was  beyond  all  praise.  His  reasons  were  powerful— his  views  of  the 
future  correct— his  references  to  the  past  full  of  warning.  How  much  was  lost  to 
the  country  when  Jackson  turned  from  the  counsels  of  this  truly  great  and  incorrupti- 
ble statesman,  to  follow  the  interested  advice  of  a  corrupt  Van  Buren  and  his  able 
and  artful  confederate,  Amos  Kendall,  so  as  to  become  "  the  mere  purveyor  of 
hungry  and  discordant  factions  ! "  Give  me  the  key  of  the  Treasury,  said  Jackson, 
and  the  Russian  embassy  shall  be  your  rich  reward.  Not  for  such  a  purpose,  was 
the  reply,  but  you  may  seize  it  by  force.  It  was  so  done,  and  Duane's  too  servile 
successor  sits  in  the  centre  seat  of  the  bench  of  justice,  in  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  Union. 

Although  Mr.  Duane  refused  to  go  to  Russia,  the  too  complaisant  Cambreleng,  in 
due  time  took  that  $  18,000  pleasure  trip,  which  may  be  considered  an  improve- 
ment on  the  English  '  Chiltern  Hundreds ! ' 

Let  us  select  one  or  two  extracts  more  from  his  speech  of  Jan.  14,  1834. 

"Of  -111  the  currencies  ih.it  were  ever  contrived  hy  man,  the  moH  vicious  in  principle,  the  most  cahmit- 
oils  in  us  effects  np,.n  trade,  the  m,wt  detrimental  to  the  pnl.lic  Interest,  and  the  most  unsafe,  as  it  respects 
the  preservation  of  a  metallic  currency.  Is  that  which  is  founded  upon  thecredit  of  a  national  iwtik  not  only 
coiiiiecied  with  the  finances  of  a  government,  hut  like  onrs.  involved  in  all  the  fluctuations  of  every  sDccies 
of  commercial  credit  and  dealin?  in  theni  upon  a  national  scale."  species 

"It  13  a  common  opinion  too.  that  a  national  liank  prevents  the  multiplication  of  Plate  hanks  !t  m?.v  be 
so.  sir;  bulif  iti.s,  it  is  contrary  to  principle,  and  In  this  country  and  In  England  contradicted  I )y  ex- 
perience. It  IS  true  that  immediately  upon  a  di.isolmion  of  a  national  hank,  there  will  be,  as  the  -eiitleman 
from  Pennsylvania  h,as  shown  an  unusual  number  of  applications  for  State  institutions;  but  in  a  Ion? 
series  of  years  the  tendency  of  a  national  bank  note  currency  Is  more  powerful  than  all  our  local  circula- 
tions, in  constantly  im|)oln,g  trade,  hanking,  and  every  species  of  credit  and  speculation  beyond  those 
prudent  limit..,  which,  wit  , out  the  auency  of  such  an  institution,  would  usually  be  prescrilicd  by  iheau. 
nualand  steady  accumulation  of  thecapital  of  the  country."  i-i  ■  -u  u/  me  an 

He  concluded  by  saying—"  do  not  entail  upon  posterity  the  calamities  of  a 
national  bank  note  currency,  and  lay  the  foundation  of  another  revolution  in 
your  government." 

Go  back  now,  read  once  more  his  letters  to  Hoyt— despise,  and  have  done  with 
him. 

Mr.  George  M.  Dallas's  father  was  a  very  corrupt  politician.     He  was  one  of  the 
pillars  of  the  system  of  doing  the  treasury  business  through  a  national  bank.     His 
son,  too,  was  a  warm  advocate  for  the  Sfi  million  charter  of  1816.     In  Feb.  1817 
he  was  appointed  attorney  to  the  U.  S.  Bank  ;  and  in  1844,  named  by  the  veteran* 
well  drilled  actors  of  the  dnnocratic  Baltimore  Convention,  for  Vice  President  of  the 
Inion.  Mr.  R.  J.  Walker,  a  great  man  in  the  Jackson  ranks,  and  Mr.  Polk's  secretary 
of  the  treasury,  is  said  to  have  got  a  new  light  in  1843,  and  written  to  a  friend  froin 
Mtchez,  in  favor  of  a  third  U.  S.  Bank !     When  he  accepted  the  office  of  V   S 
Senator  for  Mississippi,  he  issued  a  declaration  in  this  form  :— "  I  am  against  the 
whole  paper  system  ;  against  it  as  destructive  to  morals,  dangerous  to  the  liberties 
and  ruinous  to  the  true  interests  of  the  American  people— the  very  foundation  of 
banking  institutions  is  based  upon  fraud  and  fiction." 

Silas  Wright,  Governor  of  New  York,  is  fifty  years  of  age,  a  native  of  Vermont, 
ami  a  resident  of  St.  Lawrence  County.     Lorenzo  Hoyt  was  long  law  agent  to  Mr 
V\  right,  (who  is  by  profession  a  lawyer,)  and  his  brother  Jesse  has  long  been  his 
coadjutor  and  intimate  friend.     Well  knowing  his  habits  and  circumstances,  Mr 
)oo'f  l/'^^,'^  ^^""""^  advocate  for  giving  him  the  control  of  the  Custom  House.     In 
1824,  Mr.  Wright,  m  the  Senate,  voted  with  Jasper  Ward,  A.  C.  Flagg  and  the 
\an  Buren  party,  to  turn  De  Witt  Clinton  out  of  the  office  of  Canal  Commissioner 
though  he  sat  there  without  salary,  was  the  soul  of  the  canal  project,  and  Weight's 
^arty  had  the  other  commissioners  on  their  side.     It  is  necessary  to  read  Mr. 
"ulicr's  private  letters  to  coiuprehend  the  spite  the  faction  felt  in  life  towards  Clin- 
ton, whom  in  death  they  all  but  deified.     As  Governor,  Mr.  Clinton  originated  the 
plan  of  revising  the  statutes— many  real  improvements  in  the  law  practice  are  of  his 
suggistion— and,  agraeing  with  Brougham,  B«atb?,m,  Romilly  and  the  grsat  law 


lOS 


SILAS  WRIGHT — CORNELIUS  W.  LAWRENCE. 


authonlics  of  England,  that  a  clear,  precise  code  of  law,  for  civil  and  criminal  mat- 
ters, as  s^  li  as  uiiirorinity  of  procedure  in  the  courts,  would  be  a  precious  boon  to  a 
n-ee  people,  he  urffed  it  on  the  legislature  in  hi.s  message  of  1825.  Van  Buren  and 
Buller,  lil<in<r  the  confuMon  of  feudal  precedents  called  Common  Law  better 
nothing  was  done.  Mr.  Wright  was  for  the  hank  and  Crawford  and  for  Jacksnii' 
and  the  political  pets  in  turn— then  for  the  sub  treasury,  In  1834.  "he  was  wholly 
unmoved  by  the  alarms  that  had  been  sounded  as  lo'the  inFccurity  of  the  deiosite 
banks"— in  1837  he  was  moved  somewhat,  and  aided  in  sending  ".Icsse  Hoyt  into 
the  modern  Grecian  temple  on  Wall  street,  as  high-priest  of  the  grand  sub-tfeas>iirv 
of  the  Union,  in  Lawrence's  and  Beerss  banks.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Hcrki- 
mer  Convention  of  Sept.  8,  1829,  where  Theron  Ihuld,  Aaron  Hackley,  N.  Ci ar- 
row, John  W.  Edmonds,  R.  H.  Gillet,  &c.  nominated  Enos  T.  Throo|)  for  frovcr- 
nor,  and  has  had  pity  on  Mr.  Butler's  pavpcr  protet'6,  and  placed  him  on  the  bench. 
In  1828,  he  aided  at  Herkimer  in  nommating  Van  Buren  as  governor.  He  is  of  the 
sect  on  of  Van  Buren's  followers  who  are  for  a  high  tariff.  He  introduced  into  the 
House  of  Representatives  the  tariff  of  1828.  I  liked  his  vote  for  .John  C.  Spencer 
as  United  States  Judge,  because  the  real  objection  to  him  was  his  hatred  to  slavery 
Proscription  by  slave  owners,  whose  ignorant  negroes  are  counted  in  the  federal 
representation,  in  the  teeth  of  the  declaration  of  independence,  and  in  mockery  of  all 
representam-e  government,  which  is  either  founded  on  intelligence  or  useless,  I  do 
not  like.  Their  weight  in  Congress  was  against  cheap  postage,  too,  although  even 
the  whites  1 1  the  south  comprise  the  great  majority  of  that  500,000  of  20  yearp  and 
upwards  who  cannot  read  their  A.  B.  C.  nor  write  their  names.  I  would  i  ihcr 
proscribe  John  C.  Calhoun  nor  John  C.  Snencer— nor  did  I  like  the  result  \.  ich 
placed  a  very  inferior  person  in  Smith  Thompsons  scat.  Though  opposed  to 
lexas,  if  with  slavery.  Mr.  Wright  was  warm  for  Polk  as  president,  who  would 
not  have  Texas  unless  filled  with  men  and  women  in  perpetual  bondage.  In  Jan 
1824  he  was  sent  to  the  Senate  pledged  to  give  the  people  the  direct  election  of 
electors  of  president,  but  to  serve  a  faction  he  moved  to  slave  off  the  question  till 
Nov.  Like  Mr.  Butler  he  wished  to  avoid  Samuel  Young  as  a  candidate  for 
Governor.  He  is  good  humored,  able,  and  shrewd— and  the  company  lie  keeps  will 
tell  his  country  what  he  is. 

Extract  of  a  letter.  Lorenzo  Hoyt,  at  Albany,  to  his  brother  Jesse,  at  New  York 
—dated  Feb  y.  28   1824.—"  How  are  the  democrats  in  New  York  pleased  with  the 

?nATm^DrV.^^'""^i""-r^'"*  ""'  Cflttot/n's  bolting  in  favor  of  Jachon 
A  UGUK  BAD,  tnasmvch  as  Jachon  may,  and  I  apfnkend  WILL,  BOLT  in  favor 
of  Adams  ?  If  things  take  that  course,  and  Clay's  friends  will  not  yield  to  Cra«. 
ford,  I  fear  that  Adams  will  be  the  strongest  man.  However.  I  strongly  believe 
that  Clay  s  friends  in  this  State  will,  if  necessary,  abandon  him,  and'  cast  their 
weight  Hito  the  scale  of  Crawford,"  &c. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Cornelius  W.  Lawrence— his  political  career— on  loth  sides  on  the  Banh-for  Van 
Buren— for  tJie  Sub-treasury— for  Teoras— Mayor,  M.  C,  Bank  Presidint,  Cham- 
berlatn  and  Collector  of  Customs  at  N.  Y. 

Cornelius  W  Lawrence  was  a  director  of  the  United  States  Bank  branch  in  New 
York  m  182/.  In  1834.  he  was  as  much  a  "  bank  man  "  as  in  1827,  but  he  had 
by  this  tinie  got  a  hint  how  his  personal  interests  might  be  advanced  by  voting  with 
i  u  '"  Congress  against  the  Bank.  He  did  so.  and  for  the  disiribufion  of 
the  pub  ic  treasure  to  favorite  State  banks— then  went  home— had  for  his  share  a 
two  million  charter  in  18.-36,  with  two  millions  capital,  ard  two  millions  of  dol'arscf 
the  national  treasure  put  into  it,  but  not  at  interest.  He  himself,  wiih  Morcan  L. 
bmiih  and  other  "trusty  cronies,"  were  the  commissioners  to  "  distribute  said 
capital  stock.  If  the  confederates  got  on  their  stock  the  profit  calculated  by  Mr. 
Marcy,  viz.  15  per  cent,  it  would  make,  on  20,000  shares  at  $100,  $300  000. 
All  the  stock  was  paid  m  by  the  shareholders,  in  gold  and  silver  the  V  S  Trea- 
sury gave  Them  other  two  milhons  for  safe  keeping,  and  nine  momhs  from  the  dav 
u  opened  its  doors  to  wit,  in  May,  1837,  it  shut  them  again,  refused  to  pay  iti 
^lebts  either  to  peopla  or  government,  in  lawful  money,  speculated  with  it?  fuidi!, 


LAWRENCE  AND  WH  TE,  THE  BANK  AND  THE  PETS.         109 

and  if  I  wo„ld  say  that  it  didn't,  or  that  its  dirrotors  didn't,  buy  up  its  own  denrr 
mtrd  pnper  at  a  d.scom.t  who  would  believe  me?     Those  who  know  Mr    tL 
renre  s  pure  d>s,nterest...dness,  and  who  can   credit  the  assert  on  t ha   there  was    ^ 
bargain  .n  18.U  to  jrne  Imn   for  a  pet  bank  to  be  started  in  1836,  six  v  tons  of  Jv^ 
crnment  specs  or  its  equivalent,  but  that  he  voted  (as  he  says  he  d  d)  contnn    o 
h.s  conscience  from  conscientious  motives,  may  do  so.     On  the  smh  of  Jan"v  IH-M 
he  wrote  his  friend  Hoyt  of  his  fears  that  thoL  he  was  acliipwh  were  ''Join.; 
too  lar  airainst  a  national  bank  "     On  ttm  ^ict  ^t-  ""it  "  ui  were       pcing 

cnnsidcrations,   the  bank  wns  tn  ho  tho  Tl    «    t,  „  i     • '   ''^"""'^I'l)  ana  oiner 

Inion,  who  had  paid  nolh  nff  at  all.     Mr    Polk  movor)  th-,t  ifJiI!',  1 1        .    u 
jtee   known  toL  unfavor.Sde,  and  Wn^LrVli^l^'        /^-h  P^^ 
Mr.  Sclden,  Lawrence  s  colleague,  on  3d   Fob.   '34,  presented  a  m™inl  Lm 
-Nevv  Vork,  prayinjr  the  renewal  of  the  Bank  charter   and  the  reslorS  of  the  de 
posites.     belden  moved  its  reference  to  a  select  committee,  whrc2d  hear    easons 
and  report.     Lawrence  voted  with  Polk.  C.  P.  White   Gillet   and  VanZnn  ?  ? 
give  ,t  Its  quietus  in  his  (Polk's)  committee.     On  the  nTh  o  '  M  rc^i   a  hSv  re° 
spectahle  memorial  Irom  Boston  was  offered  /"or  the  Bank-      M.  r    k      "'^'^'>'/e- 
pnnt  it  n.th  the  nan,r..     Mr.  Polk  saifie  /    ^S  li^^to  print  The  mTmorhl   bS 

WrP^rni?;  ^?f  ,''  '^"?  \'^-  ^^^'"^  ^^-^^  noes.Ld  tliey  weVe  "gift  S^ 
bell  P  ^\hlte  kept  below  the  bar.  Then  came  the  home  vote  Resolved  fhn  X 
Sta  e  banks  ouaht  to  be  continued  as  places  of  deposite  for  the'publifmonev  a^ 
h  ^e^ra^s"'  SeWen'^r'o'^r;  J"''?-"' ^^'-j-Jen,,  Cram'e"    andTleards- 

posed  to  appoint  a  committee  to  inspect  the  bank  books  see  who  had  It  i."  X  P'°" 
an   find  whether  it  had  violated  its  charter.    Selden tt'ed  L  enqdry  ^C   P  wShe 
and  Lawrence  were  absent,  Cambrelen?  said   yea,  and  the  corn    was  or^.S 
me™aLte'"lrP"'"*'"'^"^^''°"^'  Mr.  Lawrence,'in  someso'^;  60  daf  ne  e^ 
S;;;  i;t^,  ^X!:i  ^^^^  ''•"^"'  ^  ^^^-™'''  ««  P-  ^^y,  as  if  he  had^d^nTh" 

Cornelius  W.  Lawrence,  it  is  said,  was  bred  to  farminjr  work   and  is  .,f  n   T  nn„ 
uc.'inS''"  ^T^'{    "'  and  his  brothers  Joseph  and  Ri^h^rdli.  w^  J  New  York 
auctioneers,  and  made  money  in  the  house  of  Hicks.  Lawrence  &  Co     reti  Tn^  Ko 
ore  u  became  bankrupt  in  1837.     Their  brother  Rirharrvvri  nnde;s  anrLH« 

bnnkrupt.but  his  wife  (.Tacob  Drake's  daujrhter)  has  a  liule  fortime^^^^^^^^ 

of  oh  "■'^'''°''  ^■;;'''L'"i^«-     f^'0"elit'«  i-  nn  old  man,  of  lai^e  size   l^!Zl 

Wsaruncc,  he  haa  h.nded  over  u,  hi.  hrolhe,.' Jo^iirtrihel  wiih  Ihe  civ 


110 


LAWRENCE  AND  VAN  BUREN LEGGETT — MARCY. 


chamberlainship,  when  he  (Cornelius)  got  possession  of  the  coHectorship  of  New 
Yorit — it  being  convenient  1o  liold  as  many  hicrative  places  as  possible  in  one  fam- 
ily. Joseph  is,  \  believe,  of  the  firm  of  Lawrence,  Trimi)le  &  Co.,  a  large  commis- 
sion house,  and  married  an  heiress,  a  daughter  of  Alderman  Townshend. 

In  July,  1830,  Sam'l  Swartwout  presided  one  day  at  a  great  Texan  dinner  in 
this  ciiy — Gov'r  Hamilton  of  S.  C,  Gen'l  Ripley,  Mr.  Calhoun's  brother,  Mr. 
Lawrence,  and  many  other  "  friends  of  the  Texan  cause,"  were  there.  A  char- 
ucter  for  friendship  to  Texan  annexation  and  an  increase  of  the  slave  power  in  Con- 
gress, is  useful  to  those  who  would  fill  lucrative  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  federal 
government.     Anti-Slavery  democrats  must  looli  to  Albany. 

As  a  speculator  in  Bank  Stock,  Collector  Lawrence  was  always  a  follower  of 
Van  Buren.  He  followed  his  lead  in  the  U.  S.  Bank  war — got  paid — was  one  of 
the  signers  of  the  N.  Y.  com.  of  citizens  at  Tammany,  who  took  sides  with  Van 
Buren  when  the  Senate  rejected  him  as  minister  to  London — was  one  of  the  State 
electors  of  President  when  Van  Buren  was  nominated  in  '36 — John  V.  B.  made 
him  "  run  like  the  cholera,"  as  mayor,  with  the  help  of  Marcy  and  the  six-million 
message  of  1834.  On  the  S5th  Sept.  1843,  the  "  conservative  "  C.  W.  L.  was  one 
of  Van  Buren's  Sub-Treasury  Vice  Presidents  for  the  fiih  ward  at  the  great  meet- 
ing in  the  Park — and  will  be  ready  to  aid  the  initiated  in  any  scheme  to  raise  more 
stocks  for  speculation,  state  or  n-uional,  by  which  "  the  Albany  Dutch  "  maybe 
eased,  according  to  law,  of  their  spare  dollars.  When  the  Glentworth  papers  were 
seized,  Mr.  Butler  addressed  notes  to  the  select,  "  Varian,  Lawrence,  Bowne, 
and  Allen,  to  meet  hiin  on  business  of  great  importance."  These,  with  Iloyt, 
Morris,  and  Stephenson  were  trusted  with  the  great  secret — and  when  it  was  told 
about  thai  La^.^rence,  Fish,  and  Alley  had  said  it  was  all  a  hoax,  Mr.  Bryant  in 
the  Post,  gravely  contradicted  the  error,  by  authority.  Ritchie  said  in  the  Union, 
that  "  no  appointment  could  be  made  more  satisfactory  to  the  democracy  of  all 
classes  than  Mr,  Lawrence,"  and  the  Albany  Atlas  sct  forth  his  "  integrity  and 
great  personal  worth."  Mr.  Lawrence  informed  the  public,  thro'  Mr.  Sullivan's 
Morning  Post,  of  his  acceptance,  he  havmg  been  "voluntarily  selected  by  the 
President,  from  his  acquaintance  with  him  as  fellow  democrats  (.'.'.')  in  Congress,'' 
The  Evening  Post  responded,  using  the  words — "integrity,"  "character,"  "con- 
fidence of  the  party,"   and  so  forth. 

'William  Leggett,  in  page  608  of  vol.  1st  of  his  Plaindealer,  asks,  "  Who  made 
C.  W.  Lawrence,  and  Gideon  Lee,  and  George  D.  Strong,  and  Walter  Bowne, 
Presidents  of  Banks  ?  Were  they  appointed  solely  in  reference  to  their  ability  fa 
financial  transactions — or  was  the  office  given  to  them  as  a  reward  for  party  seni- 
ces  and  sacrifices  ? — We  have  too  long  submitted  to  a  system  of  banking  founded 
on  political  capital,  instead  of  money  capital.  We  protest  against  the  creation  of 
exclusive  privileges  for  the  purpose  of  paying  these  men  for  their  political  services," 

Mr.  Lawrence's  character,  and  the  recommendations  to  office  already  quoted,  are 
evidence  that  he  will  make  that  vast  and  costly  machine,  the  Custom  House,  scne 
the  purposes  of  the  knot  of  political  speculators  with  whom  he  is  connected.  Pros- 
per M.  Wetmore  is  his  most  intimate  adviser,  n.id  a  most  suitable  one.  On  the  24lh 
of  Dec.  1834,  C.  W.  Lawrence,  R.  Riker,  Joim  L.  Graham,  and  George  D.  Strung, 
wrote  toJohnL  Moig.m  and  others,  Washington,  (the  fall  election  being  over), desir- 
ing an  inspectorship  for  Abraham  Le  Foy,  because  of  "  his  assiduity  and  efficient 
influence  as  a  member  of  the  democratic  family."  It  would,  they  add,  be  "  a  favor 
to  ourselves."     Give  him  $  1095  said  Swartvvout,  and  it  was  done. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


Governor  Marnfs  Letters— on  his  Pantaloons — his  War  Services — his  Election— ik 
U.  S.  Bank— the  Nullifiers—lhe  Elections  of  1832  and  '35.  -S.  D.  Ingham  on 
Clay  and  Anti-masonry.     Flagg  on  Politics. 

Senator  Marcy  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York. 
[Private.]  Albany,  ifith  Oct.,  1832. 

My  Dear  Sir — Your  letter  of  Monday  evening  I  received  this  morning,  and  with 
it  a  breeze  from  the  south,  that  gives  some  of  our  folks  a  chill. 
Th«  opposition  pretend  to  have  certain  information  that  Ritner  is  elected. 


GOVERNOR  MARCY's  BREECHES— HIS  HEROISM  IN  WAR.  IH 

Though  wedo  notyet  yield  to  thi8  belief,  still  we  are  less  confident  than  we  were 
yesterday  of  Wolte's  Election. 

As  10  the  Pantaloms  affair*  periiaps  I  am  not  the  person  best  qualified  to  advise, 

Tiioush  the  charge  was  right  in  itself,  yet  it  must  be  regarded  as  an  unfortunate 
one,  because  so  easily  turned  into  ridicule. 

I  showed  your  production  to  Flagg— he  thought  it  very  well,  but  seemed  to  think 
It  was  a  little  too  formal.  1  he  enemy  will  have  their  laugh,  but  I  hope  it  will  not 
do  much  mischief.  o  r  "» 

The  true  explanation  is  simply  this — 

When  Comptroller,  I  had  always  made  war  on  lumping  charges,  because  I  was 
Batisfi.'d  many  (rauds  against  the  State  had  been  perpetrated  by  them 

The  law  provided  the  payment  of  the  Judge's  expenses  in  holding  the  Special 
Circuit.     1  kept  a  particular  account  of  them,  which  was  handed  to  the  Comp- 

While  on  this  business  some  work  was  done  on  Pantaloons,  for  which  the  Tailor 
charged  1-  i(ty  cents  ;  it  was  entered  on  the  account,  and  went  into  the  Comptroller's 
hands  without  a  particular  reflection  how  it  would  appear  in  print. 

Ifmred  no  danger  for  I  knnu  no  sin. 

Jean  not  advise  how  it  is  best  to  treat  the  subject. 

The  article  in  the  Argus,  headed,  "  A  very  grave  affair,''  is  perhaps  as  full  an 
explanation  as  the  transaction  will  admit  of.  But  it  will  be  well  lo  connect  it.  if 
much  must  be  said  on  it,  with  the  great  frauds  and  peculations  of  Holley,  A'an 
Tuyl,  John  V.  N.  Yates— (who  I  believe  for  love  of  me  writes  many  of  the  scur- 
FeeT  S' &c  '"  °"'  P'lpers),  in  appropriating  about  $800  of  Peddlers'  License 

Now  as  to  my  War  Services,  (a  more  agreeable  subject),  I  was  out  two  cam- 
paigns—in  18)2  on  the  northern  frontier— belonged  to  the  party  which  took  from 
the  enemy  at  St,  Regis  the  first  stand  of  colors  taken  in  the  late  war,  on  land,  and 
the  first  prisoners  (about  40  in  number). 

These  prisoners  were  in  a  house  built  of  square  timber.  I  personally  headed  the 
piny  that  took  them— myself  broke  open  the  house,  entered  it,  and  took  from  the 
hands  of  the  soldiers  their  arms,  &c. 

I  care  not  how  much  this  matter  is  handled,  but  rather  they  would  let  my  Pan- 
taloons alone,     1  return  your  remarks.     Yours,  &c.  W.  L,  MARCY, 

Judge  Marcy,  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  New  York. 

Albany,  4th  Oct.,  1832. 

My  Dear  Sir— Yours  of  yesterday  is  received.     Before  it  came  to  hand  I  nad 

(ietermined  to  write  you  in  order  to  relieve  the  gloom  which  my  former  letter  was 

calculated  to  cast  over  your  mind.     Informaiion  received  since  writing  to  vou  has 

consiaerably  raised  my  hopes.     V.  Buren  writes  from  the  infected  District  xh^i  we 

sha    gain  there  as  much  as  we  can  lose  in  the  other  parts  of  the  State.     That  we 

slia  I  gain  (speaking  with  reference  to  the  last  Governor's  Election)  I  do  not 

doubt— but  the  extent  of  that  r^ain  cannot  to  be  conjectured.    I  think  it  will  be  3000 

HI  the  8th  District— and  about  2000  in  the  6th.    Our  recent  news  from  Washington 

County  IS  very  flattering.     The  FACTIONS  there  do  not  coalesce.     There  is  a 

roasonable  hope  that  we  shall  be  better  off  by  1000  votes  than  has  been  calculated 

the  proceedings  m  \\eschester  have  dissipated  the  gloom  that  hun<r  over  that 

county.     We  understand  that  both  the  Ward  and  Hunter  parties  will  s'upport  our 

Sectoral  Ticket  and  Slate  candidates.     The  charter  election   here   has  nerved  our 

mends,  and  inspired  a  determination  to  meet  efforts  by  efforts.     Upon  the  whole 

our  affairs  look  pretty  well,  and  success  is  in  our  own  hands,  but  we  must  labour  to 

ieep  it.     I  fear  more  for  you  in  N.  Y.  than  any  other  place.     Your  vigilance  and 

M-Toroiis  cttorts  can  alone  save  you  from  a  disappointment,    Davis's  calculation  in 

}ebterday  s  C.  &  En.  is,  m  many  particulars,  very  wild,     I  have  run  over  that 

art'i,-?p"'Hnw.?''"'''^''il!'^",'"*'''-  ^^  "'^  J°''«  "'"""  '^'«  P'l'^hed  breeches  and  barber's  bill-ihe  Areu. 

ih »  SL  .?,  ,  I-  *^"' ''"  ^'"'  ?«"!':<=■■'.  seem  to  have  been  composed  by  himself    His  other  le  lers  in 
™  nl  Sf ' the  tZ  mVv'  ^  '^^^^  election-the  important  po.lti'on  of  Hoyt  ^  the  confiden  ial   ,X" 
HnH.,  1  vi,  P*">'.**'  N-  V.-and  the  temper  of  the  man.    I  like  Marcy's  and  Flags'"  Ullws.  in  the  niiiD 
I nder  a  betUr  ByeUjm,  perhaps  they  would  have  been  better  men,  ^*  '  "'*"'- 


!     : 


113 


W,  L.  MARCY's  letters  to  JESSE  HOYT. 


calculation  and  made  a  note  of  deductions  and  additions,  which  I  think  may  be 
reaaoualily  b.!  depe.ided  on,  by  whicli  I  v;iry  ihd  results.  About  20,000  a  vniiu 
mitenal  variation.  I  do  not  wish  it  exliibiied.  Indeed  I  believe  it  is  nther  an 
idle  empl  lymeiit  to  be  makiu;,'  (  slimates.  Tlie  best  rule  is  to  do  the  work  und  tw 
the  result.  I  am,  with  great  respect,  yours, 

W.  L.  MARCY. 

Senator  Maraj  to  Jesse  Hoi/t,  Esq.,  New  York. 

Washi.ngton,  3d  June  [1832.] 

Mv  Dear  Sir — T  have  been  sham-fully  negligent  of  my  promise  to  ynu  in  rela- 
tion to  the  result  of  the  inurview  with  my  Albany  friends.  1  hoped  to  be  able  to 
convince  them  that  it  w.is  right  and  proper  for  im  to  adhere  to  the  determination 
which  I  had  coininiinicated  to  Cmswjll ;  but  I  failed  in  doing  so.  Thiy  convinced 
me  thit  there  wore  mure  diificuhies  aifinding  the  solection  of  a  propt-r  caiiddate 
than  had  presented  themselves  to  me.  The  result  was  that  I  am  m.t  to  persist  in 
declining  now  but  am  lo  be  Id  alone  if  it  can  be  done— as  I  think  i*  may  without 
injury  to  the  party. 

It  would  seem  to  imply  (if  it  cannot  be)  that  I  am  a  mighty  consequential  fel- 
low.     You  or  anybody  else  may  th.nk  so  if  you  will,  but  I  do  not. 

Webh  has  not  modified  and  puldislied  your  articles.  So  long  lime  has  now  elapsed, 
and  the  fever  of  those  who  called  for  me  to  come  out  has  so  much  subsided,  that 
prob;d)ly  nothing  more  will  be  siid  by  him.     How  stand  affairs  in  N.  Y.  ? 

Thore  is  a  great  effort  making  we  learn  by  the  manufacturing  interest  to  get  up 
an  excitement  on  the  Tariff— Our  friends  from  Albany  and  elsewhere  thought  it 
would  not  succeed.  Bodies  of  manufacturers  are  flocking  in  here,  and  thev  aiineat 
about  AS  CRAZY  AS  THE  NULLIFIERS-I  think  the  extremes  will  unite 
and  defeat  all  attempts  at  compromise.  Yours,  Sic, 

W,  L.  MARCY. 

Senator  Marcy  to  Mr  Jesse  Iloyt. 

Washington,  Saturday. 

Dear  Sir— I  have  this  morning  received  a  note  from  Webb,  and  I  learn  from 
the  tenor  of  it  that  you  had  written  to  him  on  the  subject  which  engaged  us  in  twu 
or  thr.-'e  conversations.  I  find  that  our  opinions  of  him  were  perfectly  correct, 
Attacked  as  he  is  on  all  sides  he  is  willing  to  attend  to  others  as  well  as  himself! 
I  find  my  intimation  to  you  is  well  founded  that  Bennett  had  been  too  sanguine  in 
the  mattiT  referred  to  and  had  understood  from  me  more  than  I  intended  to  ciM.vev. 
Webb  has  undoubtedly  every  disposition  to  put  things  right  and  he  ouuht  to  be 
permitted  to  do  so  to  a  certain  extent  in  his  own  way — I  have  had  full  conversa- 
tions with  you  and  from  ihein  you  can  make  to  him  such  suggestions  as  will 
apprise  htm  of  my  views.  He  may  ihiidi  I  ought  to  write  to  him— und  so  I  should 
perhaps— but  1  have  two  reasons  for  not  doing  so— the  one  is  that  if  I  should  go 
over  the  whole  matter  as  I  did  with  you  in  conversation  it  would  make  a  prodi- 
giously long  letter,  and  I  am  too  much  engaged  to  afford  the  time  to  write  it,  but 
the  second  is  I  have  declined  to  write  to  all  Editors  on  the  subject  (except  one 
\yhich  I  explained  to  you.)  This  resolution  was  early  taken  to  preserve  my  posi- 
tion—/o  keep  silent.  He  will  appreciate  my  motives  and  I  hope  approve  of  the 
course 

[The  date — signature — and  a  few  words  of  the  conclusion,  torn  off] 

Private.  To  the  same.  Alb'y,  1  Oct.  '32. 

My  Dear  Sir :— I  did  not  receive  your  letter  of  Thursday  till  last  evening.  I 
hasten  to  reply  to  it — though  the  answer  will  give  you  no  pleasure. 

I  think  our  chance  of  success  doubtful. 

Although  others  are  full  of  courage,  I  am  not.  I  have  looked  critically  over  the 
State,  and  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  probably  we  shall  be  beat. 

I  would  not  say  this  to  you  were  I  not  perfectly  confident  that  it  will  remain  a 
frofn.tnd  secret. 

All  reports  from  New  York  are  that  we  shall  do  better  than  you  represent ;  yet 
I  have  distrusted  them. 


MARCY,  INOHAM  AND  FIKOO,   ON  ELECTIONS,  BANKING,  ETC.     113 

'Dw  IL  S.  Bank  is  in  the  field  mA  I  cannot  but  fear  the  effect  of  50  or  100  thou- 
sand  dollars  expended  in  conductmrr  the  election  in  such  a  city  as  New  York  T 
have  great  confidence  in  the  honesty  of  the  people,  but  it  will  not  withstand'  all 
temptat.ons_     The  courupt.on  or  somk  leads  to  the  deception  of  manv 

\ou  oug:ht  to  look  to  the  Upper  Wards.  I  fear  you  will  find  defections  amona 
the  active  clectioneerers.  •t^i-t.uiio  auiuug 

Though  I  speak  so  discouragingly  of  the  result,  I  do  not  doubt,  if  money  could 
be  kept  out  of  use,  we  should  beat  them.  But  it  will  not.  Yet  gr^at  effurU  S- 
out  money  may  save  us.  °        tuuno  wnu 

I  hope  those  efforts  will  be  made  in  New  York 

If  1  thought  N  Y.  would  do  as  others  say  it  will  I  should  say  the  chance  is  ir 
our  favour,  but  I  feared  such  a  result  as  you  predict  ^-'''ince  lo  ir. 

My  advice  i^-dont  Bet  YOUR  MONRt,  BUT  SPEND  IT,  as  far  as  you 
legal  y  can,  to  promote  the  election.     We  are  all  determined  to  deserve  success 
and  do  not  despair  of  getting  it.  Yours  sincerely,  success, 

J.  Hoyt,  Esq.  W-  L.  MARCY. 


Hon.  S.  D.  Ingham,  Sec^y  of  the  Treasury,  Washington,  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  York. 

n...n  «5,o      T.i,     I  r      ,.    •  .  .         Washington,  lOth  Nov.  1833. 

iJLAR  hiR,— 1  thank  you  for  the  information  in  your  letter  of  the  8th 
This  Election,  toyeiher  with  thai  of  Pa.,  must  kill  Anti-masonry. 
Ihey  will  not  again  raise  .hat  flag  m  the  nation,  and  s.-arcely  in  a  State 
It  will  be  driven  hack  into  a  few  counties-hut  Mr.  Clay  is  also  done  ;   howei^er 
pperately  he  mny  fight  tn  a  forlorn  hope,  that  is  not  the  character  of  his  frZdl 
They  cannot  again  be  brought  up  to  the  charge.  "^         jnmas. 

Yours  with  great  respect,  S.  D.  INGHAM. 

Comptroller  Flagg  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt. 

rir.o  «,„      V  11  L  ,  Albany,  March  26,  1832, 

J  PAR  Sir,— You  will  have  seen  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention,  and  will   I 
Jnubt  not,be  gratified  with  the  general  results.     Bowne  had  been  th;  prom ment 
mauforaState  delegate  before  the   N.  Y.  delegation  arrived,  and  a  mK  y  "f 
he  delegation  agreeing  upon  hi.n,  it  settled  that  matter  at  once.    Your  city  leleaa. 
^on  was  kept  back  until  nearly  the  hour  of  the  meeting  of  the  Coiivention-a^rd 
Se.deii  and  a  fe.v  mischievous  spirits  among  your  members,  of  the  House,  induced 
your  delegation  to  helieve   thai  some  contrivances  adverse  to  the  city  were  agreed 
upon  here   and  that  they  would  have  delegates  forced  upon  then,  w^ho  would  To 
e  agreeable  to  theu.-and  .-^elden  did  all  in  his  power  to  throw   thi  cZLlol 
co„fusion.     He  was  mistaken  in    his  men,   and  only  made  himself  appear 
eiious  and  foolish.     ..     .     .     .     The  strong  vote  of  the  Convention  relfuked 

he  fariionisis,  and  a     things  went  off  with  the  most  entire  unanimity,  both  in  the 
tdinmittees  and  the  Convention.  ^' 

Tiie  delegates  to  Baltimore  I  have  no  doubt  form  a  unit  in  regard  to  any  measure 

to  promote  the  interests  of  Mr.  V.  B.  and  the  Old  Hero.  ^  measure 

Ine  political  affairs  of  this  Stale  never  looked  fairer-there  is  some  diversity  of 

[inian  as  to  a  candidate  for  Gov.,  which  will  be  settled  at  the  Herkimer  C  mvU- 

t.on-a,idthe  names  of  Jackson  and  Van  Buren  will  get  a  triumphant  vote  and 

bear  down  all  opposition.  Yours  truly,  """Pnani  vote  and 

^__  A.  C.  FLAGG. 

GovW  Marcy  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 

^Z"^';.  Albany,  26th  Jan'y,  1835. 

My  Dear  Sir— I  received  your  letter  this  morning  on  the  subject  of  L.  M  M 
t  IS  proper  that  Mr.  M.  and  all  other  office  holder!  in  N.  Y.  ihose  feelings  o^ 
woe  conduct  has  gone  with  the  Wtgs  should  be  fully  apprised  of  mv %iSfn  °r 
hZ  Z  l°-K  .  J  appointments,  and  that  they  should  "be  made  sensible  that  "they 
ZJ.T'''^^  t'I''""!  about  a  state  of  things  which  prevent  me  from  doS 
'owaxds  them  aa  I  have  done  heretofore  and  should  under  other  circumrtMMsdS 
15 


(.  ■' 


Ill 


THADDEUS  PHELPS  AND  THE  FREE  BANK  SCHEME. 


now.  The  principal  auctioncprs  pnrti'ok  of  the  mndnrss  and  infatuation  which  Ijs! 
yeir  seiiietl  ilie  great  mass  of  lin-  Me.ch;lnt^ — they  anled  in  givinrr  snciess  to  our 
opponi-nis  in  the  Common  Councl — liicy  counlcnaiu'fd  and  mme  praciistd  the  pru- 
scriplive  jmlicy  of  liiut  hoily — iiirned  away  their  cleik?,  ciirnien,  &c. — ii|  held  the 
coiiibe  pursued  by  liie  Wig  paper.- — and  cheered  on  ihe  Con.mon  Ctpcncil  in  swap, 
trig  th"  (lexlis  of  al.  our  poliiicai  friends.  'J  he  very  men  who  have  been  frostnUd 
in  N.  Y.,  with  the  expressed  or  implied  apiuobuticn  of  those  who  wish  reappoint- 
ments, now  surround  me  in  great  nvntbers,abk\uf;  the  places  and  commissions  of  ihe 
pro.icri/irrs.  What  shall  I  say — what  ouo-hl  I  to  8;iy  to  these  applicants!  Shall! 
send  tliesB  victims  of  proscripiion,  and  victims  of  the  ;j07i*c,  home,  enijity  handed,  to 
beg  employment  of  those  who  have  de|)rived  ihem  of  it.  and  give  commissions  to 
those  w  hi)  are  the  authors  or  even  the  silent  approvers  of  the  course  pursued  by 
the  Common  Council  and  the  panic-makers  ?  If  I  had  but  one  iiour  of  official  lile 
to  live  1  should  eonsider  it  my  soleiim  duty  to  employ  it  diligently  in  protecting  my 
jiolitical  friends  from  ])ersecution.  My  friends  in  N!  Y.  ought  to  look  at  both  sidts 
of  this  question  before  ihey  advise  a  course  of  liberality  which  would  bo  injustice 
to  friends  and,  as  past  experience  shows,  returned  with,  mgralilude. 

Yours,  &c.,  W.  L.  MARCY. 


CHAPTER  XXVII, 


Thaddeus  Phelps  and  the  Free  Bank  scheme.  His  private  report.  Gallatin  on 
Repeal.  Leggett  on  Marey.  Letters,  Marey,  Flagg,  Cutting,  and  C.  L.  Liv- 
ingston to  Jesse  Hoyt.     E.  Livingston.     Message  writing. 

The  facts  stated  in  my  chapters  on  stocks  and  banking  will  have  shown  the 
reader  that  much  of  the  anxiety  displayed  by  knavish  jioliticians,  brokers,  congress- 
men, bankers,  governors,  judges,  &c.,  for  national  banks  one  day,  and  for  stale 
batiks  another — this  time  to  have  one  set  of  men  put  forward — t'other  lime  a  dif- 
ferent set,  is,  in  the  main,  caused  by  the  vast  gains  niiide  by  getting  hold  of  fancy 
stocks,  puffing  this  this  week  and  that  tlie  next — or  bepraising  one  thing  that  jou 
may  get  another,  as  Van  Bur.jn  did  hard  money,  which  served  as  a  pretext  for  his 
hungry  legions  of  officials  to  keep  a  few  millions  of  soff  money  not  their  own— alto- 
gel  hi  r. 

On  the  eve  of  the  election  of  1836,  Mr.  Hoyt,  with  the  secret  promise  of  the 
reversion  of  the  Custom  House,  should  his  captain  gain  the  day,  was  indefatigable. 
AH  sorts  of  proposals  were  got  up  to  please  all  sorts  of  people — and  among  others 
it  was  suggested  that  banking  ought  to  be  unrestrained.  The  knowing  ones  knew 
that  the  chartered  banks  would  probably  soon  no  by  the  board,  and  they  were  for 
securing  a  fresh  batch  of  '  charters,'  for  sale  before  the  general  break  up. 

Uy  reference  to  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Post  of  19th  Sept.,  1836,  it  will  be  seen— 
that  on  the  25th  of  April  that  year,  Thaddeus  Phelps,  D.  R.  Tallmadge,  Saul 
Alley,  VV.  B.  Lawrence,  Stephen  Allen  and  Jesse  Hoyt  were  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee to  obtain  a  change  in  the  banking  system  by  a  repeal  of  the  law  confining 
the  stock  and  scrip  banking  craft  to  incorporated  associations.  Their  first  puUic 
report  is  dated  12th  Sept.,  (Hoyt,  Secretary)  ;  they  there  state  that  "  a  portion  of 
them"  went  up  to  Albany  when  appointed,  and  attempted  to  gel  repeal,  hut  conli 
not — and  they  go  on  with  a  tedious  jargon  about  tyranny,  freedom,  naked  deform- 
ity, &c.,  trying  to  make  it  appear  that  they  had  been  unwearied  in  their  efforts  at 
undoing  what  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  his  friends  had  so  long  made  their  money  by— 
the  monopoly  of  banking — so  that  every  sovereign  in  the  Union  might  issue'his 
currency,  and  be  a  banker. 

To  me,  a  far  greater  curiosity  is  the  above  committee's  first  private  report, 
addressed  April  29lh,  1836,  by  Thaddeus  Phelps  to  his  precious  comrade,  Hoyt- 
and  here  it  is  : 

Mr.  Thaddeus  Phelps,  at  Albany,  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  New  York. 
"  Dear  Hoyt — Wc  arrived  this  morning  and  have  already  accompiisiied  wonders. 
Our  influence  has  akeady  made  Six  Banks  in  the  House,  (no  fear  of  the  Senate), 


A  REMARKABLE  PRIVATE  REPEAL  REPORT. 


110 


.T,d  hy  tomorrow  night  there  is  very  little  doubt  we  shall  have  made  twenty  or 
I  >r.y  more.  \on  follows  who  are  in  favor  of  the  n.j,eakrs,  may  all  now  go  to 
He  .a  your  own  way^  Consider  your  restraining  law  repealed.  Consider  La 
partner  n.  a  Banking  Company-I  put  in  2,000,00()-Ca!!  on  John  Ward  for  iho 
money,  ^o  more  at  pre.s.;nt-Your  loving  friend,  TPIADDEUS  PHEI  PS 
"  Arrived  on  Monday  mornini?."  o,.    .  '  ',     " 

.If  I  .    .  2!)  April. 

iMonron  li;is  sent  in  hn  allefrjancc ind  tha  iv..ii,.„  a        •  . 

go.otheD-1.     Doatoff.  the  Native  American  party.    May 

»  n.  York,  ,„b«:ribed  a  d  S  ilS  ilch    „  ilf'S  Z\""  ,"!".'  "''  "l  '""''" 
Ih.  sli,  al,„ut  bank  oharTc  L.  bc»a„  at    be  ve  1 ,1^?^!        T^'l  '  tr"""  """ 

bySKeui.   '11     IL^^^^^^^               was  examined  by  the  eommission  appointed 
ers  the  oHicia  s  shnn W  nt.on^  ...   i <r ...i; ■  _  '     1"""1'<  "s  \\ay 


tf 


ever  knew.  °  ^  (  $3000  a  year),  I  have  forgotten,  if  I 

Mr^'M™v'wrSe  nlvfTn"''  '  '''!''  ^".  '^'  ^'■^"^'  '^^«"'«'^«  '•^P^^'-^  y=^^d  long- 

Well  might  the  poet  of  the  Seasons  say,  that— 

Uiihlesl  l)y  virtue,  Government  a  league 
iiecomes,  a  circliii?  j\U!li)  iif  the  "real 
1  (>  nb  l)y  law :  relijiic.n  mild,  a  yoke  ' 
Jlo  tame  the  dtoopinir  soul,  a  trick  of  state, 
m,         .  ^"'"^sK'l'eir  rapine  ami  10  share  their  prey. 

and  erru;tmVlSLlJ!on"o7l"'^  ^'^^  .''^  '^'''^'  ^"  -^^^""-^  ^^^^  --"Pt 
auara  of  tt  P  H,.Pn^  n       \        '^  '^^^'  "^'^^  '"'  signature  as  governor,  was  well 

Thef^w  fetters  of   iT^  I         "^  '"  m'  ,''",'"'-'^y  ^"''  «=^^1^  ^^  their  chief  magistrate 
a  se'ii^^Wp  2.  f      ■''''''''  P"''''«'"-^d  «''"^v  some  candor,  and  even  talent,  with 
_se^m.ng  desire  lor  fairness.     But  what  of  justice  do  we  find  in  his  general  con- 

r-iif  >u.lTl'o?a"tLuIhTuLhf Jnp'v'^^^^^^^^  '""'^  co»./7rm.rf  lo-day-I  .io  not  mean 

''■"••I  in  t.k"t  sf„s^  „.,,/,.  rn     r>     •^      'Jeieral  Wmche.siflr,  who  may  he  a  viirv  nint.s  rr.an   (.,-.;;  /,}„  ,-  it 
Sec^rettry  was  confirmed  ^       i/^-^-binip.on'.  nommanon  was  rejected.    Young  f-ultoa's  nomination  i' 

n:^  ?olll^th\^T;^ro'pS»y  i^^a"„'.r  ^J.%nd^^';^trKri^l'^rvt^  "^^^^^  ""-""-^ 

Sincerely  jours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENa 


116 


TtAOO,  MAHCV,  AND  CUTTING  ON  REPEAL. 


MVINOSTO 


duct?   Mr.  Lctrgett  knew  him,  and  thus  describes  him,  V(d.  I.  Plaindealer,  p.  4.')0. 

"  H»*  is  a  wi'iik,  crinping,  indffisivu  man, the  more  tool  ol'a  miiiiO|ioiy 

junto,  their  oonvfnicni  instrument ;  nnd  white  he  pives  his  sanction  to  their  un- 
worthy m'.'isuroH,  wo  8urv<!y  him  with  contempt,  iind  can  otfer  no  better  excuse  for 
his  conduct  ilian  that  '  his  poverty,  and  not  his  will  consents.'  " 

What  "  small  lights,"  such  t^overnora  as  Van  Uuren,  Marcy  and  Throop  are, 
when  set  beside  the  (generous  and  ingenuous  Clinton  !* 

'  Ch'ge  to  Gov'r  —  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  New  York.' 

Albany.  21th  Nov.  1836, 
My  Dear  Sir, — You  promised  mcsnwc  ilhtminnti'tn  on  the  subject  of  the  i:?8train- 
ini;  law  or  rather  the  repeal  of  it.  1  am  infurmetl  liiat  there  is  a  prnLabiliti/  \\m 
I  am  elected,  and  if  so  it  will  be  expected  that  1  send  to  the  lejiisliitnre  a  inessaire— 
If  you  have  any  publications  or  othi'r  matiers  too  cunihcrsoine  for  the  mail  you  can 
if  you  choose  put  them  in  the  charge  of  one  of  the  ekciors  from  your  city.  If  yim 
are  extravagant  in  your  notions  they  will  not  he  adopted — you  expect  as  a  milter 
of  course  they  wiU  he  inoditied.  I  will  not  ask  you  lo  get  what  you  write  your- 
self copied  beciiuse  it  is  possible  that  some  one  mjy  be  found  in  this  city  or  vicinity 
who  will  he  able  to  decyplier  your  hand  writinij, 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  lo  be  obliged  and  humble  Serv't, 

W.  L.  MARCY. 

[This  governor  had  sanctioned  laws  in  April  nnd  May,  giving  more  special  priv- 
ileges to  newly  chartered  banks,  and  for  the  sale  or  disposal  of  their  stocks.  He 
now,  in  Nov. — Van  Buren"s  and  his  own  election  secured — invites  Jesse  Hoyt  \o 
illuminate  his  benighted  vit.ion,  as  to  the  best  mode  of  rendering  liss  valuabU  \\\<' 
special  advantages  fur  which  cunning  or  silly  people  had  just  paid  cash  to  C.  W. 
Lawrence,  Ac] 

Jesse  Hoyt  Esq.,  New  York. 

Albany,  Oct.  3,  1836. 
Dear  Sir, — The  repeal  of  the  restraining  law,  so  far  as  to  allow  offices  of  Dis- 
count anil  Deposite,  is  universally  assented  to  by  town,  county,  district,  and  state 
conventions.  To  this  extent  a  law  can  be  pussed  with  little  oppositiim.  If  the 
issuing  of  Hills  is  added,  so  as  to  multiply  without  limit  the  manufactories  of  paper 
money,  a  new  aspect  will  be  given  to  ihe  whole  matter,  and  those  who  are  opposed 
to  any  change  may  be  enabled  to  keep  things  as  they  now  are.  If  wc  can  open 
the  way,  and  build  up  a  class  of  Banks  which  not  issue  paper,  these  will  co- 
operate in  making  the  currency  more  sound  than  at  present ;  if  they  have  nothing 
to  make  by  the  issue  of  small  bills,  they  will  not  be  aggrieved  by  seeing  gold  and 
silver  lake  the  place  of  the  small  hills.  After  the  fetters  are  knocked  off,  and  the 
new  class  of  money-changers  are  "  in  the  full  tide  of  successful  experiment,"  such 
other  modifications  may  be  made  as  experience  may  recommend,  and  as  "  the  busi- 
ness wants  of  the  community  may  require."  Rcpral  the  restraining  law,  refuse  all 
banks,  unless  their  stock  is  sold  at  auction,  and  those  who  trade  vpon  legislation, 
(the  hon'ble  the  lobby)  will  be  blown  "  sky  high  :  "  and  the  scenes  of  log  rolling 
and  corruption  would  be  replaced  by  a  decent  regard  to  moral  and  official  puriiy, 
and  a  reasonable  attention  to  the  public  business  and  the  general 

Truly  yours, 


A.  C.  FL\GG. 


Mr.  Cutting  to  Mr.  Hoyt.     [Albany],  January  I,  1837. 

My  Dear  Hoyt, — Charles  Livingston  has  sent  you  a  copy  of  the  bill  to  repeal 

the  restraining  law,  reported  by  Maison   in  the  Senate.     The  first  section  is  all 

that  ought  to  pass,  but  I  suppose  that  being  in   the  hands  of  the  Philistines  we 

must   06   thankful  for  any  favors,   no  matter   how  small.     Edward   Livingston, 

*  Mr.  Rjtl  •  s'-isaks  dilTerently.  He  wrote  to  his  friend  Hoyt  from  Allmiiy.  Ausnist  9th.  1820.  as  follows: 
"  Mi.  v'a>i  Bu,  m  .luikIs  hiirher  throiielioui  tlie  Stale  than  he  ever  did— witness  the  toaals  at  the  varioui 
celelira!  ■;,';;■»  V'li  if  I  W'v.-c  in  hia  place  I  wonld  trouble  myself  but  little  about  the  carpings  of  such  men  as 
you  n-'w— -li  '-■  an  :  .  lolhing  without  him.  What  would  have  become  of  the  opposition  if  it  had  not  been 
for  h'  1  .'  wi:i  :■  y  laoi-e— if  I  was  Van  Buren  I  would  let  politics  alone.  He  can  be  and  will  be  the  Erslcine 
of  the  f  i,e,u,  \>  i;!.  h  is  an  ambiUoii  more  luudabie  than  tiie  desire  of  political  prelermenl.  He  yeaienlay 
opened  a  .-,xuse  in  the  Supreme  Court  in  the  most  concise,  elegant,  and  convincing  argument  I  almost  ever 
heart!." 


LIVINGSTON  ON  BANK  NOTES— BOWNE's  CAUCUS  REPORT,  BY  BUTLER.  117 

ICP  I  am  .afmi.l-ha8  turned  a  sharp  angle,  and  will  comfi  out  Honk.     See  his  voto 
i.Hiay      I  ..morn.w  ho  will  be  t,n.u«ht  to  the  hull  rin^,  and  stamped  a«  he  dmr  es 

i^:'^::Z^::^;L;'7^'  '"•'  ^"•""  ^-^^  "•^-"-''^  ^^--'-^  -  ^'- ^^^^-^ 

D..  vou  see  vvh.,  e.,.npo.se  the  conunittee  en  the  repeal  «f  the  restrainuiff  law  in 

our  If,  use'     Opden,  Chairman  !  the  violent  opponent  of  the  measure  Sj^a" 

.  e  nprntof  the  h.rmer«    Trust  and  Loan  fon.pi.ny'    the   inlnnale  ot'  John  l! 

Grahu  n,  .Seymour  &  Co.  !    the  guest  of  the  forn'er  last  spring  i..  New  York   am 

J.  lubby  fnend  at  the  Syracu.se  Convention  !     ]n^  But  we  will  delbiU  the  Jans 

lildiartetS.'^^^  ^"'  '"^  "'"^'^'^'^-'''"  ^^^  '^^  I'--"y  repealedZll 

1  •    Xj.    v>i 

[Post-mark,  Albany.]    Jesse  Iloyt,  Ksq,,  Wall  street,  New  York. 

...     J         ,  Albany,  Jan.  21,  18.37. 

I  am  inclined  to  fhmlr,  my  good  fellow,  that  you  arc  more  than  half  right  in  the 
npuuon  ^xpre.sed  in  your  last  letter-1  have  given  the  subjeet  of  private  issues 
miieh  anxious  thought  and  1  confess  now  light  begins  to  dawn  upon  mv  darkened 
,P,P  oc-thoHouds  are  fa-st  breaking  away  and  I  .hould  not  be  su^  i.3  I  final 
Iv  A.orm.nod  o  mamtain  even  to  obstinacy  that  a  note  of  an  ineorpo'rated  bank  as 
M.  Iter  than  he  bill  issued  by  a  private  solvent  individual-I  miy  have  been  de! 
i,Kl,M  by  the  eharm  vh.ch  too  commonly  attaches  to  a  corporation,  but  the  spell  is 
n,..rly  broken,  and  another  mghfs  retlection  may  mctamorph.ise  me  into  anSev 
.hie  advocate  of  shin-plasters-Some  limitations  and  securities  are  indispensable  ?o 
duard  against  abuses,  for  I  cannot  admit  your  theory  to  its  full  extent,  that  f he  pel! 
Tie  are  under  all  circumstances  capable  of  managing  their  own  affairs.  In  s?me 
e.scs  they  must  be  protected  against  themselves.  My  distru.st  <.f  their  intell  gS 
eomm.ncjMl  when  they  .deeted  such  a  poor  devil  as  myself,  and  until  they  choSse 
a?en ts  who  wil  respect  their  feelings  and  their  interests  I  will  dispute  thei^  eapac^ 
ny  to  govern  themselves  Don't  disclose  this  heresy  and  above  all  don't  let 
me  see  it  in  the  Evening  Post  in  the  form  of  "  an  extract  from  a  letter  fmm  aI 
bany.'  Do  you  understand  I  In  a  few  days  we  shall  have  under  coSen"  on  a 
jreneral  plan  for  private  banking,  provided  there  is  sense  enough  in  Albany  o  ma- 
ture one.     It  IS  designed  to  keep  this  subject  distinct  from  the  rtstraininglaw 

Cutting  has  just  called  in  to  say  that  he  has  received  some  letters  from  you  and 
desires  me  to  say  that  you  must  work  harder  and  talk  less.  What  im pert inen  lan- 
guage for  a  servant  of  the  People  to  hold  to  one  of  his  masters  '     Yours   &c 

CHA'S.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


12;  ;       ?     %^''''-  ■    ^T'"'/"^^'^'  ^"'^'^'^  ^''/""•^  ^S^'inst  the   Tennessee 
Resolutions  for  Conventions  by  the  people  in  place  ofCavcuL  by  the  volSns 
Letters,  Butler  to  Hoyt.     Open  Rebellion.     Andrew  Jaekson.     Letter     Gov     V 
Bitrcnto  Hoyt  on  Providence  and  Jud^c  Swanton.     Crawford  on  foreigners' 
\an  Burcn  on  Universal  Suffrage.     Looking  ahead.  joreigners. 

Mr.  Lorenzo  Hoyt  to  his  brother  Jesse. 

Dear  Brother-I  send  you  by  this  mail  the  ReponV '^'  ^'oV'^'on^Te 'I en 

v^  ,r  nntil    'f '  ^^^'^^'^^^^f  its  principles-but  I  presume,  from  the  circumstance 
Se     ntTi'''''"^^                    '°  exactly  whh  Mr.  Butler's,  that  the  principles 
rontamed  in  the  report  will  meet  your  approbation Mr    GarH 

Sr  h1  "'^''  '^'y'  ^i*^"'  '\"  ^"^°1"^*""  «*■  ^'-  ^^^^^S  in  relation  to  electors  was 
under  discussion,  made  an  abusive  and  unjustifiable  attack  upon  the  editors  of  the 

evtfr..!  w  '™^''  J"?*^  \^-  'y'"''''  ^°  ^^«  "'^""^'l  the  indignation  and  disgust  of 
every  sensible  nnan  witlnn  his  he- -^no-  U-^  "m-c^A  ^h-  i,^--r  v-  ,.  &"'"•."' 
tenpv  in  five*  y  ;.—- "  '"s  ne...,ng.  n.?  cccu^ed  cfi^  Argus  ul  political  incoiiBis- 
2?;on/K  3  ad^ocatmg  an  alteration  of  the  electoral  law,  and  then  in  a  few  weeks 
after  reprobating  the  measure  as  unwise  and  anti-republican . 


118 


BUTLER  OPPOSED  TO  NOMINATIONS  BY  THE  PEOPLr:. 


The  opinion  ihat  I  always  heretofore  entertained,  that  Gardiner  was  a  man  of  vcrv 

limite.i  talents  is  now  irrevocably  confirmed I  must  confess  I 

wa&  not  ;i  little  astonished  wh^n  1  see  who  the  New  York  members  were.  I  pre- 
sume they  arc  men  of  tolerable  pood  sense,  with  the  exception  of  Crolius  and  one 
or  two  others,  but  as  for  their  abilities,  they  are,  in  my  opinion,  contracted.    .    . 

LORENZO  HOYT. 


The  State  of  Tennessee  wns  friendly  to  Gen'l  Jackson,  and  its  Ic^jislature  passed 
resolutions,  in  1823,  reprobatinir  th'>  practice  of  members  of  C'tnpress  meetinir  jn 
Caiinis  and  nomiuatinjr  Presidents  and  Vice  Presidents  of  the  United  States,  as  an 
luuhic  iriterforence  witli  *he  rights  of  '.he  peoole.  Thes  ■  resolutions  were  trans- 
mit*''d  t!)  ihf;  IcKisliit  -re  of  Now  York,  (see  piipcs  11  t(.  13  Senate  Journal.  I8i?.t) 
and  referred  to  Waller  Kowne,  Jona&  Earll,  and  Perley  Keyes.  Benjamin  F.  Biit- 
ler,  bcMig,  like  Van  Buren,  favorable  to  Crawford  and  the  dictation  of  caucuses  of 
p.irty  Coiiffressmen,  wrote  a  report,  wliich  the  Senate's  committee  adopted  aim 
Bowne  fathered  and  signed — (see  pages  17  to  22,  same  volume  ) 

Mr.  Butler,  in  ihis  report,  asserts,  that  the  caucus  dictation,  by  members  of  Con- 
gress, is  a  proper  and  constitutional  praciice — that  in  case  the  election  should  after- 
wards go  into  the  House  of  Representatives,  the.  members  who  may  have  recoin- 
ineuded  a  candidute  to  the  people  in  caucus  are  not  thereby  boiuid  to  vote  for  him 
themselves — that  a  congressional  caucus  is  the  most  clTectual  mode  for  preserving 
an  equality  to  the  weaker  States — that  "  there  is  no  other  practicable  mode  of  con- 
centrating public  opinion  " — that  State  nominations,  by  members  of  the  State  legis- 
latures, the  only  substitute,  arc  attended  with  serious  difficulty — that  a  caucus  of 
members  of  Congress  forms  the  best  priinary  agency  for  selecting  candidates  for  the 
presidency,  being  a  powerful  combination  of  influential  men,  who  follow  a  safe 
course  of  precedents — and  that  a  congressional  caucus  next  session  is  "  peculiarly 
desirable." 

To  me  it  is  evident  that  unless  the  power  of  nomination  is  in  the  people  they 
cannot  be  said  to  have  the  power  of  election.  Mr.  Butler's  negative  right  which  lie 
is  ready  to  assign  to  the  people,  of  dissenting  or  approving  when  a  presid'-^nt  is  pro- 
posed to  them  by  a  private  meeting  of  66  congressmen,  as  was  the  case  in  1824, 
where  only  that  number  riominatcd  Crawford,  shows  his  innate  dislike  to  democra- 
cy, which  in  such  a  case  makes  the  millions  sovereigns  or  dictators.  Who  that 
reads  this  volume  will  fail  to  admit  that  while  the  constitution  may  stand  for  ages  a 
monument  of  the  wisdom  of  its  framers,  the  administration  of  "it  maybe  at  the 
greatest  possible  variance  with  the  spirit  of  its  provisions  ?  The  Union  had  chosen 
some  210  legislators — Mr.  Butler  desired  that  threescore  of  these  men  should  regu- 
late the  succession  of  our  executive  magistrates.  The  people  had  elected  certain 
men  to  do  their  will — Mr.  Butler  desired  that  these  men  should  contrive  to  make 
the  people  do  theirs.  All  this,  too,  to  crush  Jackson,  and  secure  the  return  of  a 
U.  S.  Bank  man  !  In  a  letter  to  Harmanus  Bleeeker,  one  of  the  gentlemen  who, 
in  Congress,  most  steadily  opposed  Madison  and  the  war  of  1812,  dated  Aug.  16, 
1831,  Mr.  Butler  talks  thus — "  His  (Jackson's)  high  station — his  venerable  age— 
my  admiration  of  his  character,  a  sentiment  imbibed  in  early  life,  and  often  ex- 
pressed in  print  and  otherwise,  &c. 


Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  New  York.  Albany,  Feb'y  20,  1831. 

My  Dear  Friend— I  hope  the  Council  will 

soon  finish  all  they  have  to  do,  as  the  excitement  produced  by  their  labors  is  very 
great,  and  the  difficulty  of  pleasing  everybody  very  strikingly  illustrated.  Yc_ 
will  have  seen  by  the  time  this  reaches  you,  that  they  have  given  me  an  office— 
without  any  trouble  or  exertion  on  my  part — or  much  on  the  part  of  my  friends. 
The  minor  appointments  for  this  city  have  given  great  dissatisfaction,  and  it  is  as 
murk  as  we  can  do  to  kerp  the  people  from  open  n hellion.  Of  all  this  however  say 
nothing — as  1  hope  a  few  days  of  reflection  will  compose  theangry  element.^!.  To 
judg '  from  the  violent  expressions  of  those  who  are  disappointed,  one  would  think 
that  our  prospects  for  next  Spring  were  rather  blank — bvt  you  know  it  is  the  ginius 
of  democracy  always  to  be  impctuuus  and  sometimes  to  be  rash.  I  have  only  time 
to  say  that  you  are  always  one  of  those  for  whose  health,  happiness,  and  future 
prosperity  I  feel  the  liveliest  solicitude,  &c.  &c.  &c. 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


I  dents  who  would 


VAN  EUREN  TRUSTS  IN  PROVIDENCE-NATIVEISM  AND  JUDGE  SWaNTON.    119 

[To  the  same.]  . 

My  Df-^R  S,«     Th„  P      .,  .  "  Wash  N,  Nov.  26,  1836, 

[he  real  danger  ..f  his  condSn  '^''"'''''' J'"  "'^'^'^  ^  "  "«'  rm<«rX«A/._aud  hence 

is  '^"JetoTrdou'bt  ';i;"deS;"/'MrV"^  n'  '""^  "^&<'  «'^^--y^t  there 

North  Caroliria  done  noblV'  ^''  ^^"  ?"■■""•     ^ave  not  Virginia  and 

•'  '  iruiy  yours, 

B.  F.  BUTLER." 

Governor  Van  Buren  to  Mr.  Hoyt,  at  New  York. 

"\fv  n         «        ■«  "  Albany,  Jan'y  4,  1829  " 

.e,4e     tI:  oa?.irs^al"Se"lLlfwi'..'r  "h^  'T''''^'"  ^'"^^  ^'^ 
hut  that  cannot  be  as  soon  as  vou  desire     T 1  ?  embraced  to  send  you  a  copy; 

be.  you  to  write  me  always  wit^hequa  freedom     f  oT  V"^'^  ^'""  ^""^  '^"^^'  '^"^ 
any  act  of  mine  to  the  prevrienTof  .)f..  ^ ''^""ot  consent  to  contribute  by 

responsibility.  Prevalence  of  that  great  political  vice,  a  desire  to  shun 

Remember  me  kindly  to  Mrs.  H.  and  believe  me  to  be  very  sincerely  your  friend, 
.he^S7tlS;l^i,?tttrk?'l';'^^^  '^^"""*  '-  '^-"  ~ZS"by 


CHAPTER  XXIX, 

'tS.^^^;^.f^,,^;£7^'^^^"^^^^  ^W  ^0  charter  '^  Ne. 

,/™//i  /Ac  Manhauan.  Four  Directors  Zptffn'n  H  *°Jorrow  the  Dcposites 
fanajMorhs.  Attorney  Ge^LraZSltttoLy^^^^  J"''  "''"'"'"  ^'"'  '"^ 
can  Land  Co.,  or  the  Irish  Middkmnftt  'r/^'Z";   ^w""f '•     ^'^'^  ^'"^'•^- 

i?m/e/-5,  1807  ^  1812.      Fan  B-tren  rrr^/W.V  7"'  ^""^''''  '""'^ '''«  Anti- 

ikcn  after  getting  elected  Tthe^^Z:'%ff^:;Z! ^^r  ''"'  '-^  '''''''"^ 

;  ^  Who  would  never  veto  ,ro^: ^Z:!Z  S^^^i^^^ZSl'Z 

nze  [f  He^  n  P^-'f^-L'^  '"  '«^''.  '"'t  the  "atL    '.f     'd^Vin  .e'lT'/e  t'uZ/ n,'','''-";'  ^'t'     ^■»"  «"^'"  ^^^^ 

!   '.izeiH.    He  hail  said,  that  a  vei-y  "  etfecliial  nipam  nf  „,,,,,■      ^  "upop'ilar  by  denoinicine  adorned 

e.c.urage  .heir  marriage  with  our  froXim^^  'he  Indians,  fvo, Id  I  o 

••  ,    ;f  "ment  to  do  this,  ilian  to  receive  v  tl    Cen  arn  «  a  I;-,"'.'/    '^'"  ", """''i  "«  "'"re  honnral,  e    S 

IhSinr   ^f' yaii  Biireii  rememhered  1824-aiKl  tW  who  fnr^»'    i,  ^^  ««■" 'cAf;,  Ac  Afco;nfs 

[•';    u   '  °'?  '"'"  ^iiwle  quest  on,  mined  more  than  pnV,n„h  ,i,      ■      r"}'^^  "«  «  I'ard  hlow,     .    ,     . 
l2"  ^'X"  '"„  '^32,  before  the  election  cXcte    a  «2n=l^prS'''  L"  ""  ^"'"'  ""^  ^^'^^^  Vorii  to  elect  hini  •> 
ta,re,l  Van  Rare,,,  more  wi.lely  dif^n  ^^  H  s  onn;me,r,^!r,ir,'',rrt'''''l'  '"  «?"  '^e  Truth  Telle"  uhid, 
I   /it""""""'  3tale.sman,  Clinton   than  the  Irish      n'JhlL^i      ^'  ","  ''''"■"'  '"^ '"«»  ''.-ill  stood  more  true 

P'ln  1 0  n     '    'i "  "T"'  "'  .'■".'"'''  '■«'"'"  'heir  elections  ra    er  a  curse  u'-i^f.Wp   ""^  "'"  '"' T'"^"'  "'"riber 


120 


JESSE  HOYt's  gold  MINE  AT  NEW  POTOSI. 


for  state  banks  and  national  banks,  with  a  paper  currency,  baseless  and  visionary  a- 
the  Arabian  Tales,  was,  as  1  have  already  shown,  to  keep  up  political  inliueniv 
with  the  millions,  and  to  run  riot  in  sspeculation  at  the  expense  of  men  of  wealth  and 
property.  What  did  Van  IJuren  or  his  '  followers'  ever  strive  to  carry  through  IW 
the  good  of  their  country  !  Who  can  fail  to  see  that  the  removal  of  the  deposits 
paved  the  way,  and  f^ave  the  means  for  the  American  Land  Company,  increased  thi 
value  of  other  hank  capitiil,  and  gave  an  impetus  to  stock-jobbing? 

Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt  is,  in  his  way,  a  Pizarro  of  the  north— nay  more  he  is  a  Cortez 
The  latter  tortured  the  Emperor  of  Mexico,  that  he  might  get  gold— the  fornix 
tormented  and  beggared  merchants  of  high  standing  in  New  York,  for  a  like  rea- 
son. Pizarro's  ruling  passion,  like  that  of  Hoyt  and  Butler,  was  gain.  If  thp 
Spaniards  got  the  treasure  of  Peru,  Mr.  Hoyt  had  the  Custom  House  treasury  and 
New  Potosi.  The  bible,  through  the  priest,  was  the  signal  for  tlie  wanton  inassaon: 
of  the  luca's  army,  by  a  band  of  greedy  fanatics,  and  the  robbers  of  Atahualpa  as- 
sembled to  divide  the  spoils  ol  an  innocent  people,  procured  by  deceit,  extortion  anc 
cruelty,  distributing  the  wages  of  iniquity  after  a  solemn  invocation  of  the  name  oi 
God  !  Mr.  Van  Jjuren,  when  he  had  attained  the  seat  of  Clinton,  writes  to  Hoyi 
that  he  was  to  depend  on  "  Providence,"  in  his  crusade  against  the  treasures  of  iis 
Americans,  native  and  adopted ;  and  this  was  very  much,  too,  in  the  line  of  Butler- 
but  the  Hoyts  did  not  deal  in  the  nonsense  of  invoking  heaven  as  the  patron  of 
villainy.  This  much  as  my  introduction  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  in  Georgia,  digging  for 
hidden  treasures  in  New  Potosi. 

In  Dec.  1H30,  Mr.  H.  McAllister  wrote  to  R.  Ward,  Hoyt's  law  partner  in  Wall 
street,  mentioning  a  man  of  science  who  might  be  emplyed   in  the  gold  region,  ex- 
amininir  a  tract.     Soon  after  Jesse  Hoyt  and  others  bought '  a  gold  mine.'     On  ihe 
ISthofMay  1831,  this  McAllister  and  a  Mr.  Rich'd  J.  Arnold  wrote  from  Sav.uinati, 
that  New  Potosi  was  "  the  most  astonishing  place  in  all  the  gold  region.'"    On  the 
3d  of  June,  the  original,  value  of  "  New  Potosi"  was  increased  from  $27,000  lo 
$38,000 — and  such  a  bungling  accountant  was  Hoyt,  that  he  and   his  partners,  in 
giving  their   '  cash  and  notes'  for  an  increased  share,  signed  for   $6,500  instead  u: 
$2880.     On  the  llth,  Hoyt  wrote  Arnold,  "  If  we  should  be  offered  $  lOO.OOii 
(for  the  mine)  we  should  not  know  what  we  were  c^elling."     On   Sept.  19,  Hoc 
proi)osed  to   ask  Georgia  to  incor|>orate  the  gold  miners  near  Gainesville— wiiii  j 
shares— personal  irresponsibility.  &c.     The  legislature,  at  Milledgville,  v as  ap- 
plied  to,  accordingly,  hut  Arnold   and  McAllister  wrote  from   that  place— "  Tin 
stupidity  of  the  majority  of  the  members  of  he  legislature  surpasses  conception"- 
half  of  them  dont    know  wlnit  a  corporation  means— and  a  failure  is  i.pprehendiv! 
JudL'eBerriun,  who  had  been  Jackson's  Attorney  General,  was  friendly,  they  sav, 
to_  their  si-heme.     Nov.  27.  i\Ic  A  Ulster  wrote  Ward  and   Hoyt,  in  great  dud;ieoli.  j 
of  course,  that  after  three  dnysstrngcrle  in  the  t^enate  their  irohl  mine  iiicoriJOi'alioii 
bill    had   been  thrown   out.     Berrian  had   done   all    he  C(nild,  but   "the  liesolttr;  | 
ignorance  and  and  the  blind  and  foolish  envy  of  the  majority,  have  carried  the  riav. " 
The  Georgians  would  incor|iorate  them,  he  added,  but  were  so  slvpid  as  to  desire  | 
to  mend  their  hill  by  making  "  the  individual  property  of  each  stockholder  liable  I'.i; 
the  debts  of  the  corporation,"    (so  that  if  the  concern  should  have  detiiulters  llic 
public  might  not  be  cheated.)     But,  quoth  McAllister,  it  was  to  get  rid  of  persona; 
responsibility  that  we  souL'ht  Icsiislative  assistance.     One  day  they  only  losthvl 
three,  and  the  next  day  gained  over  seven  members— but  in   Georgia  the  people 
like  to  see  what  is  doiuL'  in  their  name,  and  it  is  the  law  there,  as  it  should  bt 
everywhere,  that,  previous   to  a  3d  reading,  every  bill,  i)ublic  and  private  must  be 
published,  and  wait  public  opinion  a  certain  time  "before  it  can  pass.     This  proviso 
killed  Hoyt's  Potosi— the  people  saw  the  thing— they  wrote  their  agents  thatthej 
did  not  like  it— and  said  McAllister— "  on  Monday   twenty  intelligent  member 

ill  advising  tall  Yankees  to  wed  Indian  squaws  in  imprnvc  Ihe  japoose  system  of  rearing  our  voulk. 
1  s  inuid  ncii  woniler  to  see  \  an  Biiren  yet  quote  Jea'orson  where  he  wiys  lliat  ii  was  a  Scotchman  (Dounlas) 
Who  taught  him,  and  that  another  Calcdnniaii  (Small)  [irohahly  fixed  the  destinies  of  hia  life,  by  «ayi>f 
sliowMig  that  we  owe  the  Declaration  of  ludupeudence,  indirectly  at  least,  to  immigration  from.Nunii 
i>ritain.  .^  >  o  ■ 

The  writer  knows  that  Mr.  Vnn  Buren  is  secretly  straining  all  his  powers  to  get  back  to  Washlnstoiiii  I 
head  ol  the  ataie,  but  the  budget  of  ways  and  means  ho  hai;  not  seen.  The  result,  would  he,  worse  lluii!::'  I 
Ihira  ruriicr,  whsa— 

Ritchie,  to  gull  the  populace,  fluttered  like  a  alool  pigeon  ; 
Hoyt  furnished  funds,  Dick  Davis  wind,  and  Butler  the  Religion. 

Bon  Butler  the  Religion  I 


CORPORATIONS— THE  MANHATTAN  BANK  -SLAVERY. 


121 


le  treasures  of 


.^ntended  against  prejudixic,  ignorance  and  the  d ,  ,„„v  ever  exh.bitPH   i„  - 

hdiatn  .  .  .  .  this  rasca  y  apoloiTv  for  a  lp<TUl!,t„rn       •■  '""y  ever  exhibited  in; 
iR."     The  LL>lZ.iyi'!^?-J  ^l"^''  hisinfernnl  place  to 


-t  folly  ever  exhibited  in 


™,.fed  Hoyt  that  Mexic.rS;r/s  no'^peS  X-Ui  n7  '"'  ^"^  ''''''''  ^"^ 
J.^^^^.^:S!^^^  f  ^  ^^nion  .ill  p.o,.ably 

,nd  the  land  of  Montezuma  rPioTceh.reSmlfhr       "'  ''"'^  ?''""'  ^""^'^  '"" 
(who  may  not  read,  write  or  ma^rv   h.l^lT         ^',  ''V'^  ""jlfrstand  it,  slaves, 
charters,  banks,  stocks,  fwiutS of  LoLf""'^'"'''  '^' u,'  ''^^  ""^  tortured,*) 
Van  Burens  and  pious  kuersTvviVn^^K' '""'P""'"''^" '°'"P°''^^^»"^ 
gold  mine  bills  before Ihe?  pal"  'em.  ^'  "'"'^'""'y'  ^'  '"  ^^"--g'^'  ««  P""* 

Thomas  Moore  impertinently  asks, 

Th,'",n!n'  '"^''  P'"'«"C^  for  a  nin„,e„i  ,ea 
1  lu!  1  ncilley  niana  of  pride  ami  iiii.s.Ty, 

UI  sla\  iiii;  blacks  and  deiiiocrulic  whites  .' 

No  matter— he  don't  travel  in  Mexico. 

more  than  the  Georgians.  March  17  anH  Vr^ T'  iV  ^1]''^°?^^  P^"^^'^  l^no^ 
Dr.  Boyd,  a  person  of  gr;atSrand  hTred  at'  ATI'^  ^^ndMcAiH^ter  wrote  that 
that  "New  Ktosi  would  yield  $ 20  nnn  If  *       ^  "'°"^'''  ^^  "^^^^'^  '^'^•/^•"rt/y 

oould  not  conscientiously  rSoLcnS'Janitalistrto""''  "l-Pl""*'''  ^"'  ^^^  d"«^«^ 
investment.  ^  recommend  capitalists  to  go  as  high  as  $200,000  in  an 

hehronhV'S'j;  fiaitttte^tL^'"  'S?^  ''f  '^'^'^  "^"^^^  B''"^'  "" 
Thaddeus  Phelps   &cfmfbpr.!.t  r""'"  ""^^  '^'''^'^  «"d  ^hos.  Oakley, 

New  York  Mar;i*d '  and  Illinois  ^r^T^ °' /'^"'^  ^^"^^'^  '^''^^  ^«'=^'<^«  " 
embrace  "  New  Potosi?  "  ^^  ''''^"  '  ^^''^  '"^'"'^^  ^feorgia,  so  as  to 

from  £  MaVhaUanB^ank  "t[dt  tt^'timpT?  U  '  '"™T^^  °*'  "  ^^^  '^'^P°-»««" 
ler's)  brother's  namewas 'no    in  fh^  K  T    *^'^^  ""y*  ^'°t  the  collector«/fi  his  (But- 

westirn  land  specultions  $3?)  000  u'f,  ^T^^  T"V"  ^"  ^=^"  «^^^^t'  °^"'ff  ^o 
hattan  at  the  blow  up      What  t^nT  V!  ^^'f,^^  the  brothers  Butler  owed  the  Man- 

P.  White  (whc  voted  fof  he  removal  t^NewY^'^j^  T^  $  258,426-Campbell 

elsewhere  on  a  division,)  and  son  S^TS  408     1  m'  n '•,  "I  **'"  "P^^'«'  «^  ^^^ 

Suffern  « -ST  Ros      -Ti^         honiM72,498— James  McBride  $75,799— and  Thos 

2r"  Nof^tlor  m  mm>e'vTv?[H'  ^^J^ey  borrowed  over 'half  a  mUHon  of 
%,  at  a  rate  sol^wha! beC c^nt  pe  cent  ?t  w^  ''  '"^'P  ''''  "^^^^^^"^«  '••'^^•■ 
P.  White  should  preside  at  tlTe  Irea  Van  Rnvpl  7, s.SrP"'"'  '1"'*°  P^P^'"'  '^^'  ^• 
he  did  so.     Why  were  not  Colter  ?n!^  MR   7      ^^^^"^    meeting  in  the  Park,  and 

'00,  lent  the  ManhattairSfoor    W^^^^^^^^  The  State, 

_j_  Mannattan  $700,000.     Who  was  it  understood  was  to  borrow  that 

;'li"a  20.a(Ki  fn,e  whitP  persons  e.rh  i^r'n  ~'"  '""""^"^y  J0,(X10-i„  Alabanm  23,()0()-and^  &,  tlfoir 
the  Slav   I  ,,,,,,„  ,^„,,^,,P0-;^n^^^^^^^^  ,„,,  ,ho  ca,.  neither  read  t'w^t'/i 

tii?laiid  iKid  reduced  hera  to  two  Vo,,nrv^.,nF,?f  ,  ,  , '"  !  "i;  '"""='?''  ''""'^ '"  five  cents,  althoiich 
Posaee  and  advocated  the  meaJ^a-  so  ardem  v  dei  ed  hv  a!  l?-!'-'''."'''*'  ^"^''^l"'"  IW-^Dnffie,  oppo^^ed  chefp 
0     'irr*';"'/™''"'''  '"  '''ivemore  \'noa,7ce  an  f  n  1  th  ,   v   '^  *  ;li.^3olution  of  the  Union"; 

nJir'-'"  '  '■''"""^  ^°  ^««  TexL  adde  10  the  vast  a?ea  t  h  "  Tr  '"!''' 4','  '^"'"■''^'^  •''''^■''  =""««  '''  "Polish 
»!  mielligence  and  American  freedoni  nml  v»i  i,  f  •"^"''.'""•^  cnrsed.  Slavery  is,  must  be,  ihe  deadly  foe 
fians;  and  the  Presidency  thn^PnM^'  T.     ^     '   ''^''","^^  "^  interests  with  the  worst  of  the  Northern  nolti 

rywhere.    South  nnrolina.  thrnn^irhJr  ab'e  ica  c?   nir  P 'l1!'7''"f", '•?  ""^  """^"^^  *""'  ''•''-ecks  reform 

in  England  would  dare  to  acknowled^^B     ''°"""*^  """^^  aibitrary  and  severe  than  the  veriest  aristowat 
16 


122 


VAN  BUREN  AND  THE  WASHINGTON  AND  WAREEN  BANK. 


out  again,  John*  Van  Buren  fashion?  The  report  of  March  14,  1840,  is  rather 
brief  on  such  matters.  The  Manhattan  made  stock  loans,  too.  In  1836,  they  had 
$  2,800,000  lent  out  to  favorites  on  fancy  stocks  pledged  to  the  banks.  Who  can 
wonder  any  longer  at  the  scramble  there  is  to  get  hold  of  the  proceeds  of  taxation 
laid  on  the  people,  and  at  the  interest  that  was  felt  by  the  faithful  to  exchange  C.  P. 
Van  Ness  for  that  regular  dealer  and  initiated  democrat,  C.  W.  Lawrence! 
Barnabas  Bates,  pensioner  of  the  Custom  House,  owed  the  Manhattan  nearly 
$10,000—8.  &  M.  Allen  $56,000— W.  G.  Bucknor  $27,000— and  Robert 
White  $20,000.  The  spoils  were  carefully  kept  in  the  family.  Gov'r  Marcy 
borrowed  of  that  reputable  concern  the  New  Hope  Bridge  Co.,  and  B.  F.  Butler 
left  his  i  0  u  for  $  5452  with  the  Baltimore  Life  and  Trust  Co.  Robert  White,  the 
Cashier,  was  soon  after  tried  on  a  charge  of  petit  larceny  and  embezzlement,  and 
purloining  the  bank's  loan  book.  Mr.  Butler,  if  I  remember,  was  for  the  people, 
and  Judge  Ingraham  charged  the  jury — they  agreed  to  disagree — and  perhaps  the 
new  trial  is  postponed  to  take  its  turn  after  those  of  Price,  Hoyt,  Swartwout,  &o, 
The  American  Land  Company  was  formed  in  1835,  and  was  a  natural  result  of 
the  successful  scramble  of  Van  Buren  and  his  friends  for  the  possession  of  the 
national  treasure  in  1834.  The  Albany  Journal  quotes  John  Van  Buren,  Silas 
Wright,  Croswell  and  Burt,  as  among  its  stockholders  there.  Charles  Butler,  bro- 
ther of  Benjamin  F.,  was  a  trustee.  The  intention  of  Messrs.  Butler  and  Wright 
was  to  buy  the  publiclands — the  very  best  of  them — as  cheap  as  possible — with  the 

*  It  would  seem  as  if  nothing  that  is  corrupt  in  the  political  world  could  he  completed  without  Hoyi. 
Van  Buren,  or  Butler  having  a  hand  in  it,  some  way  or  other.  In  the  early  part  of  this  volume  are  Bui- 
ler'3  letters,  reconnnendin:?  Hoyt  to  Barker  for  a  cashier  to  the  Bank  of  Niagara  at  Buffalo.  IsaHcQ, 
Leake,  Mr.  Van  Huron's  editor  of  the  Albany  Argxn,  was  its  first  cashier,  and  the  notorious  Isaac  Kibheiu 
president.    Its  parent  was  Martin  Van  Buren. 

On  the  >''lh  jf  Feb.  1816,  the  bill  to  charter  this  bank  was  referred  to  Jacob  Barker  and  two  others,  in 
the  N.  Y.  ^senate,  to  report.  Mar.  8,  the  bi.;  n  committee— Van  Buren  and  Cantine  vote  for  it— Barker 
kept  below  the  bar.  It  provided  lliat  S4(lO,()0O  should  be  the  capital,  and  the  bank  to  iss<ie  its  notes  as 
money  whenever  the  directors,  whom  the  bill  nnmal,  should  .see  fit— even  before  one  cent  had  been  paid  up 
of  the  stock,  which  could  be  called  in  'by  instalments.'  Tho  bank  to  divide  profits  among  the  stoct 
holders,  who  were  not  to  be  responsible  to  the  public  for  los.s  or  mismanagement.  The  stock  distriljiilion, 
as  usual,  was  left  to  '  our  friends'  as  a  fat  job ;  if  the  bank  failed  it  might  stop  and  start  afresh ;  aiJ 
D3=-  it  (the  bank)  was  not  compelled  to  pay  specie  for  its  notes.  -=Cl5  The  bill  passed  the  Senate,  butih! 
Council  of  Revision  refused  to  agree  to  it,  because  it  did  not  contain  a  clau.se  providing  for  the  redeniplion 
of  its  bills  in  gold  and  silver.  April  10,  1816,  Attorney  General  Van  Buren,  in  Senate,  said  the  bill™ 
better  without  a  specie-paying  clause,  and  tried  to  persuade  two-thirds  of  the  Senators  so  to  vole, and 
moved  to  pass  the  bill  in  spite  of  the  Council.  (.See  Senate  Journal,  p.  236.)  The  Senate  refused  toilo 
this,  and  the  specie  clause  was  inserted,  Van  Buren  again  voted  for  the  bill  which  became  a  bad  law,  pil- 
laged the  farmers  and  traders,  broke  down  in  1819,  paid  10  or  12  cents  per  dollar,  and  its  cashier  tooli  ihe 
chair  of  Van  Buren's  press,  the  Argus.  It  started  again,  its  president  was  indicted  for  cheating,  Barker 
was  to  have  .«5,000  for  procuring  a  «2.'),000  loan  to  keep  it  agoing,  but  it  broke  again  before  aid  could  jel 
to  Buffalo.  Kibtie,  its  first  president,  was  a  Burrite,  concerned  in  the  frauds  by  which  the  Merchanli' 
Bank  Charter  passed  in  1805,  and  one  of  '  the  lobby.'  General  Swartwout  writes,  (1823)  "  My  Dear  Mor 
risen— The  Putchess  must  pass  the  House  on  Tuesday,  and  yours  [the  Chemical  Bank]  will  pass  the 
Senate  on  Wednesday,  certain.  See  Kibbb  as  soon  after  dinner  as  possible — he  knows  the  cord.s  to  pull 
upon,  and  v.  HI  carry  you  triumphantly  through.    Your  friend,  Hob.  Swahtwout.  ' 

Mr.  Vaa  Buren's  bank  initiated  the  Buffalo  people,  who  had  l)ecome  such  profioionts  in  the  mysteries 
that  thirteen  banks  have  broken  down  in  that  place  since,  cheating  the  weaver  of  cloth  and  Itie  grower  of  j 
wheat,  wool,  &c.,  out  of  at  least  three  millions  of  dollars. 

In  an  Albany  Argua,  extra,  of  Nov.  21,  1824,  I  find  the  report  of  a  joint  committee  of  the  Senate  aii 
Assembly  of  N.  Y.  on  the  Chemical  Bank  charter,  Mr.  Sudani,  chairman,  and  it  a  jrds  additional  pml  I 
that  the  administration  of  justice,  the  purity  of  which  forms  the  foundation  stone  of  American  institutions, 
needs  the  investigations  of  a  Convention  ot^  the  Stale. 

"  In  the  inquiry  instituted  by  the  committee,  to  discover  if  any  meml)er  of  the  legislature  had  been 
improperly  InHuenced  in  his  vole,  it  became  necsssary  to  examine  Mr.  Morrison  and  the  agents  cmplojeil 
by  him.    And  the  evidence  thus  elicited,  is  certainly  far  from  creditable  to  any  of  the  persons  engasei!. 
including  Mr.  Morrison ;  to  see  men  holding  judicial  stations,  and  olliers  claiming  rank  in  society,  con 
gregato  at  the  seat  of  government,  for  the  purpose  of  letting  themselves  out,  for  such  rewards  as  may  l« 
extorted  from  the  fears  or  the  hopes  of  applicants  to  the  legislature,  must  be  a  source  of  deep  regret  to  all  I 
who  respect  the  purity  of  legislation.    But  when  it  appears  that  the  votes  of  members  of  the  legislature, 
are  actually  pledged  by  the  Lobbi/,  without  the  most  distant  communication  with  them,  and  by  these 
means  rumors  are  spread  abroad,  implicating  the  legislature,  and  all  for  the  puriiosc  of  extoriing  money  | 
from  a  desperate  or  timid  man,  it  becomes  the  sacred  duty  of  the  legislature,  to  expose  to  the  public  ih' 
names  of  the  individuals  who  are  guilty.    The  testimony  disclose.^  the  names  of  Wm.  McDonald,  miwof  j 
Walerford,  Col.  Mather,  of  Kensselaer,  Aaron  Hackley,  late  first  judge  of  St.  Lawrence,  Halsey  Rofcrs, 
first  judge  of  the  county  of  Warren,  Ward  B.  Howarci,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  Isaac  Kibbe,  of  BiiffalB. 
Thomas  Malchin,  of  Montgomery,  Gen.  Carpenter,  of  Tioga,  W.  J.  Caldwell,  of  New  York,  A.  Moody,  of 

New  York,  Cornelius  Masten,  of  Pen  Van,  and  Gen.  Swarlwout,  of  New  York What  (in  the 

opinion  of  the  committee)  constitutes  the  moral  guilt,  and  deserves  to  be  severely  censured,  is  the  pmclice  I 
of  persons  regularly  meeting  at  Albany,  from  various  parts  of  the  Slate,  to  make  it  a  business  to  loud  their 
aid  'for  pay.'  to  any  .ipplicitinn.  .".nd  nppnuing  n-pplimlians^  nnlps-J  they  are  f>ni'l  (o  tie  rnrm-,rr,?«!  ;■:  j 
tolerated,  thus  obstructing  the  regular  course  of  legislation,  and  casting  suspicion  as  to  the  purity  oflegis- 1 

lative  acts Powerful  indeed  must  the  consideration  be,  whicli  can  induce  men  of  standlns  in 

society  to  leave  their  families  for  a  whole  winter,  and  devote  themselves  for  hire  to  the  will  oftieii 
employer." 


THE  AMERICAN   LAND  CO.— THE  ANTI-RENTERS.  123 

t'^:''Mm;:n:i^iZs':t^^^^  ^^^  p-p^e  -  high  as 

me  stating  the  names  of  pSsons  whrwnnlH  t        ",*^  private  etters  are  now  before 
tion,  hadLt  1837  and Yevents  ^  have  cleared  millions  by  the  specula- 

Lieutenant  Governor  Root,  in  his  soepfh  in  tho  ,\r  v   «       .  ,     r-  ,  ™ 

sury,  7th  February,  1840,  thus  desLrerthL^v'^st  rn^nlpd;""'^'  ""^  *''  ^"'"^'^^^- 

was  placed  at  the  head  of  it  as  President.  ^  general  ol  tlie  United  States,  [Butler],  and  hia  brother 

„£  i,:  mZeUt  tl  fS  "-''""'"■  "  ''''''^' '"'  '"-^y  P-'l '"'»  the  Treasury  waa  ..ceivabl.  at  the  land 

,.^ti^:i\4^a^r/4S^^pt,rd  ft'ruX^t^^.y'^ott  ,tWr  /^^'^  ^•^  --  -  ^^^  -p^^e. 

the  protection  of  the  Government,  and  made  a  deposke  B^ink     xt;?™  if  n  1'?'  'r'^'U'lT^  ""'^"  "»der 
,nby  the  .peculators,  Who  were  in  the  secret,  ft  ^^of^^rllT^^^^^^^^^ 

s^^  !.'rtorc^arS  cL^rta^/en'^a'crlstr  sTee^rth'eTrS;  Th^'-t"  ""  P^^"-"'  ^^«  •^«^''  "^ 
and  the  ke?s  returned  without  teiii^  unloaded  reasury,  the  treasurer's  receipt  procured, 

J,S%7lt"^re^-^,^-X„;i^«,,Y-'^-  poCets  full  of  eastern  notes, 

surrounding  country.    Other  speculators  were  comneneS  to  buf'^^^^^  all  Chicago,  and  the 

Eastern  notes  were  worth  more  than  specie,  for  exc^Ce  wj^  in  V5rnf  ih  iT""^"  ^'""^  Company.' 
was  another  speculation."  °' '""'*'-"'*"5je  was  in  lavor  of  the  Atlantic  cities.     And  there 

ff  ''  ",.™"''  ""=  «1""«le"'  of  Samuel  SwartwoT,"   ZlS     In  iatlv 
J..ih  he  «a»  the  poorest  of  the  poo,-his  father  kept  a    °  all  pS  L,e     SZ 

i' ;  l-er^i  ;™»;i?t,«™; -^r T3.1ht%&t"7!' 

euda  tenures  and  a  "  particular  hostility"  to  Van  Buren,  by  the  VaSn^Sr ' 

d  W^stons,  were  adverted  to,  and  their  -  baronial  prerogatives''  sneeVed   at 

Mr.  Van  Buren  is  said  to  hav3  fanned  the  flame  by  anonymous  essavs  in  the  ?T.,H 

on  papers,  i„  which  the  title  of  the  Livingstons  to^heii  Hor  land!  in  Columht 

nty  was  vehemently  attacked-and  then  to  have  appearS  irSe  lawlr  .n^ 

S^efuf  Sfv  t'"  --^^'/h-f  Pontesting'fhe  daimste  liyadviTed 

of  raanv  of  Z'^    ft     T'    I  '^  ''■'''''^.^'^  '"'^'^  deserting  them  and  producing  the  ruin 

SeSll     f^u  ^^'  ^'^  ^^\'}''  ^^y,  1812,  attained  his  object  of  a  seat  in  the 

I  onrmay  not^'  *'''^'"''''  '^"'^  ^"^"^"'=^-     "^^^^  ^^V  ^^  ^--  '"  whole  or  in  jim' 

i  much  ltht'^"SH  the  Northern  Whig  aiid  the  Hudson  papers  of  that  day  throw 
?om  /R~,f  ^  \^'J^^^  "'"'■^  ¥^y  ^'^"""^^  i'  in  iinother  publication.  One  extract 
PosT  O^^fn^^^'^'  '""^'^^  ^^1°  ^"^°  '^'  New  Yorkkrald,  and  the  EvenS 
rest  ot  Oct.  21,  1818,  may  sufT,  a  here.    Judge  Van  Ness  presided  at  the  Circuit 


*  (-i 


194 


ANTI-RENT  IN  COLUMBIA — BISHOP  AND  KEMBLB. 


Court  in  Columbia  county  that  month  ;  the  District  Attorney  ( Canline),  was  absent; 
50  or  60  persons  were  ejected  from  their  farms  for  refusing  to  pay  rent;  the 
sheriff's  posse  was  ordered  out;  Charles  Truesdale  was  shot;  D.  Wilkinson  wag 
sent  four  years  to  jail  for  shooting  him  ;  John  Re3molds,  a  magistrate,  was  heavily 
fined,  and  also  imprisoned  ;  and  anti-rentism  very  severely  punished. 

Thomas  P.  Grosvenor  appeared  for  the  State  as  prosecutor.  He  had  been 
turned  out  by  the  Council  of  Appointment,  and  Moses  I.  Cantine,  Van  Buren's 
brother-in-law,  appointed  as  the  district  attorney  for  Columbia,  Greene,  and  Rens- 
selaer counties,  in  Feb.  1811.  Moses  was  looking  for  a  seat  in  the  Senate,  needed 
popularity,  got  the  seat,  and  a  poor  instrument  for  bankcraft  he  made.  Van  Buren 
then  transferred  him  to  the  Argus. 

Mr.  Van  Buren,  like  Cantine,  was  absent  at  the  trying  moment  when  his  clients 
most  needed  his  aid— and  of  this  we  copy  verbatim  what  we  find  in  the  Hudson 
Whig  and  the  N.  Y.  Post,  as  follows  : 

"  It  is  the  general  received  opinion,  and  lias  ever  been  our  own  firm  belief,  that  these  people  have  been 
operated  upon  by  olliers,  whose  situation  in  life,  and  whose  duly  to  society,  had  demanded  of  them  a  very 
different  Ime  of  conduct  from  what  we  believe  to  have  lieeii  pursued.  That  this  opposition  in  the  Manor 
has  origmated  in  poliiic-j,  it  is  our  fullest  belief;  and  that  they  consider  certain  leaclers  of  the  democratic 
party  in  this  city  as  ilieir  patrons  in  this  business,  would  appear  manifest  from  a  conversation  that  looli 
place  during  the  sitting  of  the  court ;  but  in  order  to  relate  which,  we  must  first  state  another  fact,  to  wii- 
that  Mr.  Van  Buren,  the  Counsel  for  the  IManor  prisoners  (and  Senator  elect  from  this  district)  when  these 
trials  came  on,  was  taken  very  suddenly  ill  and  did  not  come  into  court  aeain  until  they  were  all  over- 
The  morning  on  which  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  taken  ill,  Mr.  Jeremiah  Shaver.'lhe  brother  of  John  I.  Shaver 
on  being  informed  of  it,  said  in  the  presence  of  five  or  six  per.sons,  that  he  told  his  brother  months  an 
that  this  would  be  the  case,  when  it  came  to  the  pinch,  that  that  dnil  of  devils  would  abandon  thm 
On  being  inquired  of  who  ha  meant  by  that  devil  ofdmils,  he  replied,  why,  that  fellow  Van  Bunn  We 
mention  this,  not  to  insult  Mr.  Van  Buren,  or  to  accuse  him  if  lie  is  not  guilty ;  but  if  the  Manor  people 
consider  him  as  their  patron  in  this  business,  and  he  really  is  such— it  is  proper  that  the  public  should 
have  a  riglit  impression  upon  the  subject. 

There  were  twenty  six  persons  indicted  at  this  court  for  neglecting  to  go  out  upon  the  po«se  into  f-e 
Manor  after  lieing  summoned  for  that  purpose,  who  were  fined  from  15  to  2,5  dollars  each.  There  wera  also 
.10  or  60  persons  ejected  at  this  court  from  their  farms  upon  the  Manor,  for  refusing  to  pay  their  rents." 

Report  assigns  to  Mr.  Van  Buren  the  authorship  of  so  much  of  Silas  Wright's 
mammoth  message  as  relates  to  the  anti-renters.  If  so,  let  this  chapter,  and  the 
recent  trials  at  Hiidson,  be  taken  in  the  same  connection.* 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


Bislwp  and  Kemhle's  stock-jobbing.  L.  Hoyfs  efforts  to  stay  the  Harlaem  bill. 
Bartow  absconds.  John  W.  Edmonds.  Ripening  a  combihation.  (lambling 
Judges.  Joseph  D.  Beers  on  ^  Stock  transactions.'  Lovett  the  Teller— how  k 
closed  his  career.     Charles  L.  Livingston,  a  gentle  judge. 

A  course  of  life,  not  very  unlike  that  of  Jesse  Hoyt  and  John  Van  Buren's,  sent 
John  C.  Kemble,  a  Senator  of  N.  Y.  to  an  early  grave,  two  years  ago,  in  the  in- 
sane hospital.  "  He  grew  up,"  says  Noah,  "  a  proteg^  of  Governor  Marcy,"  and 
while  Senator  was  also  editor  and  owner  of  the  Troy  Budget,  formerly  conducted 
by  Mr.  Marcy.  He  took  his  seat  in  the  Senate  in  Jan.  1834,  and  in  a  speech  on 
the  Harlaem  railroad,  the  year  following,  said  that  it  was  begotten  of  a  Jew,  bom 
of  a  Jew,  owned  by  Jews,  &c.  Noah  replied  by  charging  him  with  offering  to  sell 
himself  to  the  U.  S.  Bank,  and  of  being  bought  with  his  seat  in  the  Senate  by  Van 
Buren's  friends.  This  Kemble  denied.  "  Does  any  man  in  his  senses,"  said 
Noah,  "  suppose  that  Kemble  and  Mack  [a  hungry,  plunder  loving  tool]  could  be 
elected  Senators  without  an  order  from  the  Albany  junto  1  " 

Mr.  Kemble,  and  Isaac  W.  Bishop,  another  State  Senator— both  of  them  de- 
voted followers  of  Mr.  Van  Buren— were  charged  in  March,  1836,  with  fraudulent 

*I  had 'written  thus  far.  when  I  met  with  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Post  of  Sept.  6,  1845,  stating  tliat  the  tri:il 
of  Dr.  Boughton,  alia.f  big-thunder,  an  anli-riinter,  was  proceeding  before  Judse  J.  W.  Edmnndj  at  Hiidson- 
A.  L.  Jordan  for  the  defsnce— John  V.  Bursn,  AttorneyGen'l,  for  the  people— when,  in  the  morniii!.',  in  open 
court,  a  dispute  arose  between  these  lawyers,  Jordan  called  V.  Buren  a  liar,  V.  Biiren  struck  him,  both  \vf 
and  fought  with  their  fists,  the  judge_  ordered  the  sheriff  to  arrest  them,  acljoumed  the  court  and  trial  24 
hoiirs,  and  sent  the  tvfo  lawyers  fur  thai  period  lo  the  common  jaii.  The  Tribune's  correspondent,  ffhs 
heard  tha  whole,  says  that  in  a  dispute  about  the  manner  of  examining  a  juror,  Mr.  V.  B.  said  '  one  at  a 
time.'  Mr.  Jordan  replied,  '  there  is  but  one  ! '  Mr.  V.  B.  (excited  and  positive)  '  that's  false.'  To  itiii 
Mr.  Jordan  answered,  '  that  is  a  lie,'  or  some  such  word.  Judge  Edmonds  admitted  that  he  also  had  ttim 
heard  it,  and  the  reader  of  Mr.  V.  B'i  18  letters  will  not  doubt  it. 


'  very  common  to' 


STOCK- JOBBING  SENATORS—'  RIPEN  A  COMBINATION.'  125 

|„.g,e»  .n  1835   for  „x,e„di„g  ,l,e  to,  ,„ 'co  "preL  S^Hall  ^iSX;: 

Ev%5  ^isfl   <  if^''  .''"°  r"'''^'""^^     «'^^-P  ^"it««  Bartow  from  ¥ew  York 
r  5e  e'x  ent '         ^'  ^'''  '''"  '^^''  ^  'T'^'iy  '^^-^  it  ^as  not  to  a  much 

the  abscondmg  officer's  request,  the  $loSS^TerevliAVlLteU^^^ 

cial,  though  fidmonds  had  never  had  any  ace™  there^  On  til  Q^I   R    f™™"" 

iy  be  WeS  '  ''""■"  """'  ""'  '"'' '"'»"'  *e»-ll>e  result 

t  '.si-'  !?■  ?■  Cireuit  Court,  on  Jacob  Barker's  trial,  N.  Y.  Eveuine  Post  Julv 

■ilf  i'hi" w.f  "■  ■'h'P''  °-  ?•""•  "»"■«  »f  "^e  fraternity  "fSocSbte„ 
ied-       W'"""e.  Hoyt,  and  "the  party"  have  been  long  intimateiyS" 

Wlieilicr  llieam.iiint  h-  (ac-  or  't.5i   i- IT  i^.      i,  ^  'j'™  or  four  hundred  ttuntsaiiit  dollara )    Vm, 
i'lJ  reiail  dealer  '    Tlial  is  all      A^rnl',  I..!      "  .         "a^'neas,  o„l>  li.e  diiTeiviice  l^tween  a  wholesale 

such  contracia  hj  paying  or  reMlv  ne  iL  riiff-VinA  i-,^^  .  ?^™"'^«     Is  it  not  very  common  lo  seiils 
ll'verycommanKuUinlStl?,!"         ""'•""'""'"""  '^"1  ""  <««l=  ncsiveJor delHeredl 


n 


I   ! 


12G      A.  H.  LOVETT — SHALL  BISHOP  BE  SENT  ON   TRIAL  TO  THE  PEOPLE  ? 


Seth  Staples  immediately  said,  and  said  truly— "I  think  it  a  villainous  trans- 
action," We  perceive  one  of  its  results  in  the  Harlaem  stock  combination.  Fraud 
caused  the  ruin  of  thousands — and  Senators,  the  protectors  of  innocence,  •were  fore- 
most to  prey  on  the  unwary !  I  do  not  see  Edmonds's  name  in  the  testimony  on 
the  combination — but  was  he  not  the  confederate  of  three  of  the  chief  conspirators, 
engaged  with  them  heavily  in  stock-jobbing  !  Are  not  the  $5,000  check  and  the 
$20,000  Berkshire,  curious  transactions,  all  things  considered — and  of  a  man,  too, 
of  whom  Mrs.  Butler  had  said — "  So  far  as  pauperism  is  a  qualification  and  recom- 
mendation tc  the  favor  of  a  party,  surely  you  will  give  in  to  "  K?  John  W.  Ed- 
monds, who  when  she  wrote  was  Van  Buren's  decided  leader  in  the  Senate  of  New 
York. 

Mr.  Alexander  H.  Lovett,  the  Teller  of  the  Commercial  Bank,  did  not  run  away 
with  Bartow.  He  gave  evidence,  March  3,  1836,  in  Senate,  that  he  paid  Bartow's 
checks  on  the  bank,  knowing  he  had  no  funds,  and  falsely  reported  Bishop  & 
Kemble's  checks  "  AS  THE  BILLS  OF  OTHER  BANKS,"  from  April  1835 
until  September. 

I  do  not  wonder  that  the  long  Island  clerk  put  $ 50,000  of  the  Brooklyn  Bank 
money  in  his  breeches  pocket.  When  he  found  that  Lovett  was  retained  by  the 
Albany  Commercial,  what  might  he  not  expect  to  succeed  in !  The  Directors 
kept  Lovett,  and  in  a  late  Albany  Evening  Journal,  we  hear  of  his  confession  to 
Bartow's  successor  that  when  these  villainiea  of  1835  were  transacted  he  had 
robbed  the  bank  of  $4000,  and  that  he  had  kept  on,  cheating  the  ill-managed  con- 
cern, till  his  robberies  had  got  up  to  $40,000 ;  and  had  forged  daily  statements  in 
the  Teller's  books,  speculated  largely  in  the  lottery,  and  was  now  ready  to  shoot 
himself,  &c.  Of  course,  he  was  held  to  bail,  and  being  of  the  Hoyt,  Swartwout, 
Price,  fee,  class,  it  is  presumed  (as  Butler  said  of  Fauntleroy)  that  New  York 
justice  will  not  reach  him.  His  connections  are  too  respectable  to  allow  hiru  to  k 
treated  like  common  vulgar  persons.  When  he  saw  Charles  L.  Livingston,  Hoyt's 
particular  friend,  and  one  of  Swartwout's  bail,  willing  to  sit  with  Isaac  W.  Bishop 
in  Senate — willing  to  own  that  corrupt  senators  may  be  sent  back  to  receive  the 
judgment  of  their  electors— willing  to  vote  that  Bishop  "  had  been  guilty  of  moral 
"and  official  misconduct  "—and  unwilling  to  vote  that  he  "  is  unworthy  of  a  seat  in 
this  body,  and  is  hereby  expelled,"  who  can  wonder  at  his  subsequent  career! 
Kemble,  like  Jasper  Ward,  decently  withdrew  from  the  cares  of  legislation,  but 
Senator  Livingston  thought  that  Bishop,  though  "  guilty  of  moral  and  official  mis- 
conduct," was  a  good  enough  judge  in  the  courts  of  impeachments  and  errors,  and  in 
Senate,  where  judges  are  made  and  disallowed. 

If  the  history  of  our  Bank  legislation  in  1805,  with  its  blows,  knock-downs, 
wholesale  bribery,  and  foul  atrocity,  could  be  placed  on  the  table  of  every  man  and 
woman  in  our  State,  it  would  be  seen  at  a  glance  that  the  Chemical  Bank,  Lom- 
bard Co.,  Bishop  and  Kemble,  Hoyt  and  other  transactions  of  our  day,  are  but 
clumsy  repetitions  of  the  stock-jobbing  commencements  forty  years  since.  If  I 
can  but  aid  in  rousing  the  manly  virtue  of  the  millions  to  insist  on  a  real  remedy,  I 
will  not  have  lived  in  vain. 

Livingston  and  his  friends  resolved  to  stand  by  their  colleague.  Bishop,  and 
Young  and  Van  Schaick  resigned,  with,  a  wish  that  they  had  had  the  power  to 
mark  the  face  of  each  member  of  the  majority  of  that  day,  pro  bono  publico. 

It  was  probably  as  much  owing  to  Bennett  and  Noah,  especially  the  former, 
through  an  article  written  by  himself,  in  Sept.  1835,  that  attention  was  drawn  to 
this  affair.  Bennett  and  Noah  had  quarreled  with  Van  Buren  and  his  folio  vers, 
their  natural  associates,  and  having  made  them  feel  their  influence  were  reciived 
back  into  the  Kinderkook  juwg-fe,  where  we  may  as  well  leave  them. 

The  Commercial  Bank  lost  $  122,015  by  Bartow's  frauds  ;  besides  $  17,380  on 
false  credits  allowed  Edmonds  and  others,  which  the  directors  expected  to  collect 
"  by  legal  enforcement  or  otherwise." 


WATSON  E,  LAWRENCE — WALTER  BOWNE. 


127 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Custom  House  Builders,  Walson  E.  Lawrence,  Politics  and  Cement.  'Walter 
Bowiie  and  the  1th  Ward  Bank.  Bowne's  Salary  as  Commissioner.  $872,500 
of  Custom  House  Deposites.  Van  Buren  Cement.  Bowne  and  Morgan  on  N.  Y. 
Banking. 

His  name  enrolled  with  the  other  worthies  of  the  Van  Buren  school,  we  will 
find,  at  the  State  Conventions,  held  somewhere  beyond  Little  Falls,  Mr.  Watson 
E.  Lawrence.  Mr.  Lawrence  dealt  in  cement,  but  the  cement  which  kept  him, 
like  Cornelius  W.,  straight  in  the  democratic  path,  was  probably  of  a  more  adhe- 
sive character  than  that  with  which  he  supplied  the  Custom  House  of  N.  Y., 
a  structure  which  cost  $1,200,000,  including  the  price  of  the  ground  on  which 
it  was  built.  Although  Watson  E.  was  not  the  lowest  bidder  among  the  burners 
of  water  lime  he  was  (as  Quackenboss  would  say)  "  with  us  in  politics." 

"Gentlemen,"  said  Thomas  T.  Woodruff,  the  builder,  to  the  Commissioners,  a 
man  in  whose  skill  they  declare  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  they  have  the 
fullest  confidence — "  Gentlemen,"  said  he,  Nov.  4,  1834,  "  The  cement  now  using 
at  the  Custom  House  is  a  very  poor  article,  and  not  fit  to  be  used.  I  have  made 
experiments  with  at  least  ten  different  bags — some  better  than  others,  but  NONE 
of  it  is  fit  for  use." 

The  Commissioners,  Walter  Bowne,  Elisha  Tibbets,  and  Daniel  Jackson,  knew 
more  about  cement  than  Woodruff.  Him  they  removed,  but  stuck  fast  to  Lawrence, 
who  was  paid  $20,000,  nearly,  for  his  cement,  with  some  profit,  let  us  hope,  to 
himself  and  family. 

In  the  Legislature  of  N.  Y.,  Assembly,  Jan.  14,  1837,  among  the  petitions 
presented  was  one  from  Watson  E.  Lawrence,  Daniel  Jackson,  and  others,  for  a 
charter  to  the  Washington  Bank,  to  be  located  in  New  York.  The  Contractor  and 
Commissioner  must  have  had  money  to  lend. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1837,  Lawrence  was  a  leading  signer  of  the  letter  sent  by  the 
Conservatives  to  Senator  Tallmadge.  In  August  he  was.Chairman  of  the  Corres- 
ponding Committee  of  that  party  in  New  York,  and  in  pursuance  of  instructions 
from  John  L.  Graham  and  George  D.  Strong  wrote  to  Allen  of  the  Madisonian  for 
his  principles.  "  Conservativ  3 "  was  the  answer,  on  which  Watson  E.  and  his 
friends  warmly  recommended  x\e  Madisonian  to  all  good  conservatives. 

Time  works  wonders.  Watson  E.  began  to  see  that  power  having  passed  to  M. 
Van  Buren,  Jesse  Hoyt  &  Co.,  they  had  veered  round  for  the  present  to  the  hard 
money,  anti-monopoly,  loco  foco  side.  Accordingly  on  the  26th  Sept.,  at  a  15th 
ward  meeting  to  choose  delegates,  &c.,  at  which  Watson  E.  was  one  chosen,  Jesse 
Hoyt  being  president,  Barnabas  Bates  [Custom  House,]  and  E.  G.  Sweet  [Custom 
House,]  passed  resolutions,  approving  of  "  The  Message  "  in  toto,  and  resolving 
"  that  the  monopoly  conservatives  cannot  delude  nor  deceive  the  democracy  of  this 
ward" — that  Bank  and  State  must  be  disunited — that  the  vast  emissions  of  paper 
by  state  chartered  banks  had  done  mischief— and  that  hard  dollars  must  be  paid  for 
revenue. 

Mr,  Watson  E.  Lawrence  is  a  fair  specimen  of  Van  Burenism.  Like  O'Gimlet's 
finger  post,  he  is  ready  to  be  turned  round  any  way,  [provided  he  can  continue 
contractor  for  Custom  House  cement.] 

Walter  Bowne,  says  Coleman  of  the  Evening  Post,  was  originally  a  federalist, 
but  afterwards  a  director  of  the  Manhattan  Co.  He  was  on  the  Grand  Jury,  in 
1805,  when  it  thwarted  the  corrupt  legislature  of  that  year,  and  would  not  find  a 
bill  against  Cheetham  for  libel  in  exposing  the  bank  bribery  to  which  Senate  and 
Assembly  had  succumbed.  In  1816  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  New  York, 
where  he  unfortunately  fell  into  the  toils  of  Van  Buren  and  Butler,  and  joined  the 
Regency.  The  Post  says  he  was  dressed  in  a  suit  of  green,  and  looked  as  if  he 
would  speak,  but  didn't. 

lio  looks  so  wise,  so  grave,  so  wondrous  grim, 
His  very  aliadow  seoms  afraid  of  him. 

After  the  Chemical  Bank  knavery  had  been  exposed  he  voted  to  preserve  the 
charter,  and  when  Clinton's  wisdom  and  patriotism  had  almost  completed  the  Erie 


1S6 


W.  BOWNE — 7th  ward  BANK — TAMMANY  ADDRESS. 


Canal,  Bowne  voted  to  expel  him  from  the  Canal  Board.  He  fathered  Butler's  re 
port  ajjainst  nominations  by  the  people,  and  was  one  of  17  yenators  who  prevented 
the  election  of  president  poing  to  the  people,  in  1824.  Of  course  he  was  for  Craw 
ford,  and  Anti-Jackson,  thoupfh  when  the  latter  got  power,  no  meaner  prayer 
reached  him  for  a  share  of  the  public  plunder  in  the  shape  of  deposites,  than  that 
sisjned,  l(i  Dec.  1833,  by  Walter  Bowne,  president  7th  Ward  Bank,  and  by  W. 
S.  Coo,  Henry  O^den,  J.  A.  Whitinfr,  G.  Hopkins,  &c.,  directors.  "  We,  &c.i 
J'rumds  of  the  administration,  and  of  the  revered  chief  at  the  head  of  the  govemmeni 
do  solicit  a  portion  of  the  fiscal  patronage  of  the  if.  S.  Treasury,  for  the  7th  Ward 
Bank."     They  got  it,  too. 

The  7th  Ward  Bank  got  a  legislative  charter  in  1832,  Walter  Bowne,  President 
— and  when  the  new  Custom  House  was  to  be  built.  Congress  voted  mon«y,  pro. 
vided  for  commissioners,  but  prescribed  not  the  duties.  Walter  Bowne  was  mads 
a  commissioner,  and  disbursing  agent.  Van  Buren's  influence  secured  to  his  bank 
the  job  of  receiving  from  thd  treasury  and  paying  out  in  its  notes  the  money  for  the 
Custom  House.  From  Feb.  1831  to  Dec.  1840,  $872,500  passed  through  the  7th 
Ward  Bank — and  besides  the  compensation  to  Ringgold,  Jackson,  Tibbets,  and 
the  other  commissioners,  Bowne  had  $8  per  day,  Sundays  and  week  days,  winter 
and  summer — in  all,  from  $  16,000  to  $20,000  were  paid  him  by  government  for 
his  occasional  attendance,  at  the  erection  of  this  heavy,  clumsy,  inconvenient  job. 

'  Paid  him' did  I  say  ?  That's  wrong.  He  took  it.  Walter  Bowne,  as  Com' , 
waiting  for  no  other  Com'rs  to  sit  on  his  individual  bills,  for  form's  sake,  if  not 
for  decency,  audited  them  himself,  receipted  his  own  bills,  handed  his  voucher  to 
himself,  approved  of  it,  and  gave  himself,  as  Com'r,  a  check  on  his  own  bank,  where 
the  cash  lay,  which  his  clerk  entered  at  the  Custom  House,  and  his  teller  (R,  S, 
Bowne— all  in  one  family)  paid  at  the  bank.  Friend  Woodbury  took  care  that  the 
bank  should,  like  Sam  and  "  Jessika,"  be  well  provided  with  "  the  fiscal  patron- 
age" it  had  so  greedily  craved.  In  Dec.  1834,  it  had  $26,000  of  a  balance  on 
hand— $120,000  in  Jan.  1836— in  July  $90,000— and  on  3d  Sept.  over  $120,. 
000.  Of  course,  a  job  was  intended,  for,  of  $70,000  drawn  from  the  treasury  in 
Feb.  1834,  $  26,000  remained  in  Dec,  and  $  1 1 ,000  next  year  in  March !  When 
$30,000  lay  in  bank,  Sept.  3,  1836,  $  100,000  more  were  drawn  for  by  Walter 
and  deposited — and  of  this,  $30,000  to  $60,000  were  on  hand,  or  lent  to  specula- 
tors with  whom  there  was  the  right  understanding,  till  July  1837.  When  this 
wretched  concern  refused  to  pay  specie  for  its  bills  or  other  debts  in  May  1837,  it 
had  of  Custom  House  building  cash,  $60,000,  and  got  $50,000  more  in  July 
thereafter !  Corrupt,  greedy,  dishonestly  ambitious  men  stuck  to  Van  Buren,  be- 
cause they  saw,  that,  let  public  prosperity  sink  or  swim,  he  would  see  that  his 
legion  of  followers  had  a  surfeit  of  public  plunder.  Don't  suppose  that  on  these  de- 
posites a  cent  of  interest  was  paid.* 

In  Nov.  1834,  Geo.  D.  Strong  wrote  the  Com'rs,  desiring  that  a  part  of  the 
Custom  House  building  money  might  be  left  for  safe  keeping  at  his  bank,  the 
Commercial.     Bowne  knew  better.     Not  one  dollar ! 

*  The  reader  may  tliinic,  perhaps,  that  I  liave  spoken  with  too  little  respect  of  such  a  venerable  and  honor 
ed  citizen  as  Mr.  Bowne— hut  is  it  so?  Thanic  heaven,  I  am  free  of  the  suspicion  of  malice,  for  in  no  form 
had  I  at  any  lime  any  dealings  with  him.  Let  the  above  sketch  be  considered,  however,  and  then  addlhe 
fact  that  the  Tammany  Hall  annual  address,  previous  to  tlie  Nov.  elections  of  1838,  Messrs.  Bow-ne  and 
John  I.  Morgan  lent  such  sentiments  .as  are  quoted  below,  the  sanction  of  their  names  and  presence  as  Vice 
Presidents  at  the  meeting  which  adopted  them,  Wm.  M.  Price  being  chief  speaker  (previous  to  his  Gallic 
Hegira  and  abdication.) 

"  We  consider  privileged  fraud  and  privileged  credit  as  synonymous  terms  expres.sing  one  identical  evil. 
.  .  .  The  Bank  has  committed  a  privileged  fraud  in  exacting  interest  upon  its  own  debi?,  and  in  thus  render 

ing  the  creditor  a  debtor That  the  9as  banking  companies  should  be  content  with  this  ubiquitous, 

boundless,  absolute,  and  irresponsible  power  of  fraud,  without  combining  to  usurp  the  legislative  and  execu- 
tive powers  of  the  general  government,  would  seem  to  bo  but  a  reasonable  request By  securing  the 

payment  and  disbursement  of  the  national  revenue  in  the  republican  coin,  we  keep  a  still  greater  amount  of 
the  true  standard  of  value  in  the  country,  and  thus  belter  enable  those  fraudulent  institutions,  the  banlis.to 
redeem  their  promises  than  they  could  if  let  to  the  selfdestructiveness  of  their  own  operations." 

Mr.  Bowne  presided  where  it  was  in  plain  terms  resolved,  that  his  7th  Ward  Bank  was  a  "  dangerous  and 
fraudulent"  concern— its  notes  a  cheat— and  the  banks  of  the  Union,  as  conducted  by  such  as  he,  swindlinj 
institutions.  He  approved  of  the  whole,  and  sent  it  forth  in  the  Post  with  his  name  altached.  Wh»te  was 
his  self  respect  in  this?  What  did  he  not  admit  to  his  own  shame?  If  the  above  assertions  were  true, 
why  v.'.i.".  Pr.irx  P_ihir.son  hnnj,  and  ths  killing  .-f  Suydam,  the  bank  president,  adjud:;cd  muitier  •  " 
organiied  banking  is  a  conspiracy  against  American  liberty  and  property,  and  Mr.  Bowne  says  it  ia  so, 
what  was  the  use  of  the  trials  of  Barker,  Hyatt  and  tlie  Lamberts  in  1826-7  ?  They  were  but  parts  of  a  »ys' 
tein,  ana  yet  made  scape  goats. 


hoyt's  embezzlements. 


129 


Custom  H0U8B  minutes,  Buildinfi:  Com'rs  office,  Au?.  0,  1838.—"  Present  Wal- 
ter Howne.  Esq. — OrdereH  [t>y  Bowne]  that  the  following  checks  be  drawn  [on 
Dnwne'shaiik.l  viz  :  Ftir  Walter  Howne  [that's  me,  too!]  Services  from  l'-;  of  Jan. 
to  1st  Auff.  $  1090.  And  "  Services,"  1  Mar.  '35  to  15  Ap'l.  '37,  066  days,  at 
$8,  f  5328.  Dec.  15,  1810.  "  Services,"  441  days,  at  $8— $3528.  Delight- 
ful simplicity  I  What  did  they  j>ive  him  as  bank  president'  How  much  slock 
did  he  tret  to  make  15  per  ct.  out  of  at  commencement?  What  sum  was  he  to 
draw  out  of  the  funds  to  share  wiih,  or  did  he  share?  UprigfU,  consistent,  demo- 
cratic Walter  Bowne ! 

Walter  was  nephew  to  Robert  Bowne,  who  kept  his  store  in  Queen  street,  New 
York,  nearly  60  years  ago.  His  family  were  Quakers — he  is,  therefore,  it  is  pre- 
siiiied,  a  Hickory  Quaker,  like  C.  W.  Lawrence.  In  1828  ho  was  appointed 
Mayor  of  New  York,  and  held  the  office  five  years.  His  daughter  is  the  wife  of 
John  W.  Lawrence  of  Flushing,  and  his  son  Nathan  is  reported  to  be  very  rich. 

Mr.  Bowne  is  not  too  generous.  It  required  two  thirds  of  the  Senate  of  N.  Y. 
in  Feb.  1824,  to  pass  a  bill,  to  give  public  relief  to  many  deserving  persons  whose 
priiperty  was  burnt  and  destroyed  last  war — and  the  Assembly  had  passed  such  a 
bill.    Twenty-two  Senators  said   Yea  when  it  came  to  them— Walter  Bowne  and 

I  wo  others,  "  Nay." 

Walter  was  a  delegate  to  the  bucktail  convention  at  Herkimer,  in  1828,  which 
nominated  Van  Buren  as  Governor.     I  wish  the  people  would  look  as  steadily  to 

I  the  great  interests  of  the  many  as  this  old  man  does  to  the  worldly  gains  of  "  Mr. 

Walter  Bowne." 


CHAPTER  XXXn. 


i  Rtvtnue  returns  at  N.  Y.  Horjt^s  Embezzlements.  Daring  attempt  to  defraud  the 
U.  S.  out  of  S  63 ,000.  Ogdm  and  Phillips's  concealment  of  Swartwout's  conduct. 
Millions  of  defalcations  not  yet  looked  into.  Why  should  we  seek  to  trace  them  f 
Tk  Naval  office,  by  Coe  and  Throop,  a  lose  deception,     Fleming's  evidence. 

.\fter  all  the  attention  which,  with  the  information  before  me,  I  could  give  the 
quesiiiin,  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  there  are  powerful  reasons  for  further 
enquiry  whether  Mr.  Hoyt's  embezzlement  of  the  public  revenue  has  been  limited  to 
$220,000,  and  upward ;  whether  he,  at  same  time  receiving  an  income  of  over 
$40,000  a  year  frora  his  office,  did  not  connive  at  yet  greater  errors? 
Jesse  Hoyt  collected  in  1839,  from  $47,113,697  worth  of  goods  subject  to  vari- 
ous rates  of  duty,  $14,042,408.  In  1840,  he  only  collected  $6,990,643  on 
S  of  dutiable  imports,  which  shows  a  falling  off  in  duties  at  New 

York  alone,  of  $7,651,765,  or  far  more  than  one  half  the  amount  received  the  year 
Jbefore.  My  opinion,  afier  much  consideration  given  to  the  subject,  and  for  more 
jreasons  than  I  shall  state  here,  is,  that  this  is  a  false  statement  of  the  real  revenue 
[of  1840,  and  perhaps,  in  a  lesser  degree,  of  1839.  The  No.  of  entries  in  Sept. 
11840,  was  3,930— in  1839  they  were  3,753. 

I   In  1827,  the  importations   at  N.   Y.   were,  value,    $41,441,000.     In  1839, 
I $97,078,000.     In  1840,   $56,846,000. 

Mr.  Swartwout's  cashier,  was  Mr.  Henry  Ogden,  a  shrewd,  cunning,  good- 
Ihiniored,  active,  business  man,  the  brother  of  a  late  Attorney  General  of  Canada— 
Ihis  assistant  was  Noah's  famous  proteg^,  Joshua  Phillips.  Between  them 
is 600,000  received  for  bonds,  remain  unaccounted  for  at  Washington — no  one 
jthere  knows  that  it  was  paid  at  New  York— the  cashiers  at  New  York  got  the 
linoiiey,  but  what  next  became  of  it?  Mr.  Swartwout  was  a  keen,  sharp,  crafty 
jpolitician — matched  Van  Buren  in  his  influence  with  Jackson,  and  was  both  scholar 
land  accountant.  Was  he,  too,  ignorant  as  to  this  $600,000,  and  these  defective 
Mwns?  I  doubt  it. 
Let  us  look  back  at  Mr.  Hoyt. 

.liter  three  yeais,  or  thereabouts,  of  office,  he  was  about  to  leave  it,  and  as  he 
"ell  knew,  a  heavy  defaulter.     His  previous  career,  was  from  early  insolvency  to 
peent  stockjobbing,  baseless  speculation,  unprincipled  politics,  and  great  personal 
17 


130 


THROOP,  COE,  AND   THE  NAVAL  OFFICE,  A   DECEPTION. 


embarrMsmont — his  companionii  were  men  of  his  brother's  and  Mr.  Butler's  amu 
nieiit  morals — and  the  whijis  oominp:  Into  power. 

The  morohant  pays  the  duties  on  his  jfoods  to  the  Cashier,  who  keeps  an  entry  oi  I 
account  of  thorn — before  that,  a  duplicate  of  that  entry  must  have  been  lodged  m\[ 
the  Naval  Officer  as  a  check  upon  the  Collector's  returns  of  monies  received  for  I 
(Bfovernment. 

Hetween  January  6th,  and  February  Slh,  1841,  hundreds  of  thousands  ofdollarn 
were  paid  in  duties  to  Mr.  Tailman  J.  Waters.     Ho  entered  each  sum  in  his  bonk 
— accounted  daily  (as  he  says)  to  Mr.  Hoyl  for  the  monc^  —laid  each  entry  in  Im 
drawer,  to  be  filed  with  the  others  bclonfrinf;  to  each  ship — and  between  these  dayj 
some  twenty  or  thirty  of  these  entries  were  stolen — one  this  day,  perhaps  twoiU 
next,  so  as  to  avoid  suspicion — the  lowest  entry  stolen,  showed  duties  paid  $732- 
the  biRhest  $5,057.     In  ail,  vouchers  for  $63,039  wore  taken  in  33  days-Mr. 
Hoyl  had  received  the  money  paid  on  these  entries — and  had  it  not  been  that  when  I 
tho  quarterly  accounts  went  to  WashiiiRton,  a  Whig  Secretary,  "  a  new  broom,' 
looked  sharper  into  the  return,  as  made  up  from  the  impost  book,  than  easy  Mr 
Woodbury  might  have  done — for  the  thief  who  stole  the  vouchers  from  the  cashieu 
office,  proceeded  regularly  to  the  Naval  Office,  day  by  day,  and  carried  off  the  du- 
plicates—Jesse  would  have  been    $63,039  richer  by  the  "operation."     But  hii 
weekly  accounts,  and  quarterly  return,  as  made  by  himself  and  clerks,  d%ffered-n 
enquiry  wns  set  on  foot,  and  the  attempt  to  rob  the  treasury  of  these  $63,000,  waH 
at  length  discovered.     Had  it  succeeded  it  would  have  benefited  no  one  but  Hoyt—k 
would  have  cleared  $63,039,  for  he  had  the  cash,  and  not  a  cent  of  it  had  been  | 
charged  to  him  on  the  books  of  the  government.     It  was  a  case,  the  very  counter- 
part of  the  $609,525  received  on  bonds,  except  that  in  it  the  lazy  financiers  all 
Washington  might  have  detected  the  rascals  by  comparing  the  bonds  payable  wiib 
the  monies  sent  for  bonds  paid,  and  on  seeing  what  bonds  were  long  past  due  and 
unpaid,  and  the  names  of  the  merchants  apparently  delinquent,  further  enquiry  I 
would  have  made  all  clear.     But  Mr.  Woodbury  would  not  see — nor  would  Wolf 
the  Comptroller— nor  the  Solicitor  of  the  Treasury— nor  worthy  Mr.  Ogdenilie 
Cashier — nor  Phillips  his  immaculate  deputy — and  the  Auditor  did  not  see  it.   Sj 
we  have  checks  on  error  and  fraud,  multiplied  and  dovetailed,  overpaid  and  useles!, 
To  cap  tho  climax,  Mr.   Swartwout  makes  oath  that  he  never  got  the  money- 
Phillips,  with  like  piety,  swears  that  Swartwout  did  get  it.    One  thing  is  clear,  b| 
did  not  go  into  the  United  States  Treasury,  to  be  borrowed  by  Van  Buren,  Wright, 
and  Butler,  as  tho  American  Land  Company,  and  used  to  buy  Western  land«al| 
government  prices,  which  the  people  might  have  had  afterwards  at  500  per  cent 
profit  on  the  outlay  ! 

The  evidences  in  document  No.  212,  H.  of  R.,2d  Sess.  27th  Congress,  sho»| 
very  conclusively  that  the  merchants'  bonds  were  paid  at  the  Cashier's  office— i 
neither  could  he  (Ogden)  nor  his  assistant  show  any  receipts  for  the  repayment  to  I 
Swartwout.     Now,  if  $609,525  of  money  received  on  bonds  could  disappear  from 
the  cashier's  office,  is  it  likely  that  the  cash  received  on  entries  of  dutiable  goods 
would  not  also  disappear,  by  the  hundred  thousand  dollars,  or  the  million? 

Look  at  Fleming  s  evidence  before  the  Commissioners.  He  admits  that  tii)  | 
office  (the  auditor's)  could  be  no  check,  unless  the  entry  was  placed  on  file,  whei 
paid  to  the  cashier— and  as  to  the  Naval  Office,  (kept  by  Coe,  Throop,  &c.)  i 
was  a  base  fraud  on  community,  as  managed — keeping  up  a  battalion  of  fat,  wel 
fed  clerks,  who  were  a  pretended  check  on  the  collector — but  no  real  check.  The 
law  reg-ulating  the  Naval  Office  is  excellent,  but,  like  every  thing  else,  it  is  per- 1 
verted  by  a  pack  of  rascals,  who  if  they  don't  get  the  penitentiary  here,  will  be| 
sure  of  it  hereafter. 

That  th6  Naval  Office  should  check  frauds  and  errors,  says  the  N.  Y.  Evenin? 
Pbfet,  is  unflonibtedly  true,  but  heretofore  the  business  has  been  so  managed  [hj 
•Throop,  Coe,  H6yt,  Swartwout  &  Co.]  "as  to  render  this  department  wholly 

*  \a  Oov'r  VanBuren'sletMr  to  J.  Hovl,  Feb.  8,  1829.  (p.  45.)  he  admits  that  a  doctor  '  savsd  usatthij 
Herltimer  Convention'  by  getting  Enos  T.  Throop,  an  attorney,  of  Cayuga,  nominated  as  Lt.  Gov'r.  >.ij  I 
oust^in^'  Col.  Pitcher,  a  worthy,  upriaht,  independent  farmer,  whom  Root  had  proposed,  and  who  hadyMsJ 
"m  (;oiigro«.  ill  isiC,  for  the  Uniteii  States  iSani?  Charier,  and  been  appointed  by  the  Rcgcuejr  =  •:j""-| 
rndga  in  1823.  On  the  12th  of  March,  1829,  Mr.  Van  Buren  abdicated,  and  Throop  became  (ile  lacWI 
Governor  of  N.  Y.  State.  In  his  message,  Mr.  V.  B.  said,  "  If  ample  talents,  and  a  sound  discriniinaiiri!! 
judgment— if  integrity  and  singleness  of'purpose,  and  truly  republican  principles,  furnish  any  just  grouna  I 
for  expecting  a  safe  administration  o'  the  government,  that  expectation,  I  am  persuaded,  may,  in  tliep»l 
Mat  uuUuice,  be  fu!!/  indulged."    Throop  pretended  to  desire  the  punishmenl  «f  the  men  who  made  »nt  I 


MILLIONS  OF  CUSTOM  HOUSE  PLUNDER  YET  UNDISCOVERED. 


131 


dependont  on  the  other."  "  It  wa»  tho  practice  of  the  Naval  Office,  previout  to 
tlie  a|)pi>iiitinent  of  Mr.  Towlo,  to  certify  all  the  accounts  of  the  Collector,  even 
btfl'iire  tlioy  had  received  the  Bignature  of  that  oIFicer  himself.  Tliin  was  neitlier  a 
counier-sif^iiature,  as  it  was  intended  to  be,  nor  a  check  upon  any  errors  in  tho 
accounts,  although  it  passed  with  others  as  a  voucher  of  their  correctness."  "  In 
the  case  of  purinils  for  tho  uniadintj  and  delivery  of  goods,  it  was  likewise  the 
practice  to  8i),(n  them  in  the  Naval  Olhce  firertoua  to  the  .itf(nature  of  the  Collector, 
and  tlien  it  was  done  without  any  actual  knowled^^e  whether  the  duties  had  lieen 

paid  or  secured  to  be  paid In  a  similar  manner  the  business  haa 

been  done  with  regard  to  drawbacks  or  debentures." 

Now  It  was  honorable  in  the  Evening  Post  to  expose  this  most  infamous  conduct 
of  its  political  friends — but  why  did  it  delay  the  exposure  till  Mr.  Tyler's  commis- 
sion had  been  printed  ?  Was  there  no  fit  time,  from  1W20,  till  Mr.  (Jurtjs,  a  politi- 
cil  opponent,  was  in  office  in  1814  !  Look  at  tho  Naval  Officer's  oath,  and  say 
whether  the  Naval  Officer's  check  only  became  necessary  when  Towle,  the  nomine* 
of  tho  retail  rum-shop  called  Tammany  Hall,  was  placed  alongside  of  the  whig,  E. 
Curtis  ?  'I'he  salaries  of  the  Naval  Officer  and  his  aids,  and  their  other  expenses, 
fees,  &c.,  amount  to  more  than  $60,000  a  year.  Has  the  whole  concern  only 
been  a  blind  to  enable  knaves  to  plunder  with  more  impunity  from  ISSU  to  1841  ? 
If  not— what  else  v.  vs  it  ?  The  law  of  Congress  of  1791)  is  good  ;  and  by  th» 
Comptroller's  circular  of  1821  the  Naval  Officer  is  required  to  keep  corresponding 
accounts  with  the  Collector,  to  enable  him,  from  his  own  books,  to  certify  to  the 
accuracy  of  the  Collector's  accounts.  What  avail  good  laws  while  bad  men  con- 
spire to  render  them  unavailing  for  the  general  welfare  f 

The  manner  of  Fleming,  the  Auditor's  evidence  in  1841,  implies  a  seeming 
doubt  of  the  accuracy  of  the  books  of  these  Custom  House  Cashiers — and  with 
reason.  Waters  might  be  honest,  but  what  can  be  said  for  his  assistant,  Bleecker? 
If  Waters  was  absent  did  not  Bleecker  do  the  businessi  He,  the  infurmer-general 
toHoyt;  the  standing  witness,  at  N.  Y.,  Boston,  Baltimore,  and  Philadelphia; 
who  did  not  tell  Swartwout  of  the  villainy  he  professes  to  have  known,  because 
"  he  had  no  confidence  in  him  !"  Bleecker's  own  statpment,  pages  36  and  37  of 
Hoyt's  "  Letters,"  show  him  to  have  been  long  acquainted  with  wholesale  knavery 
by  importers — yet  he  neither  informed  the  treasury,  the  district  attorney,  the  col. 
lector,  nor  the  naval  officer,  but  waited  till  Hoyt  appeared,  and  then  volunteered  u 
informer-general — prosecuted  Hoyt  for  his  share  of  the  plunder,  was  then  dismissed, 
and  relinquished  the  spoils,  out  of  "  the  Yorkshiremen,"  to  recover  them  as  Hoyt's 
second  cashier ! 

Is  there  not  the  strongest  reason  for  believing  that  entries  were  made,  the  money 
paid,  and  the  entries  cancelled,  by  some  of  the  worthies  described  in  this  chapter, 
to  the  amount  of  millions,  between  1829  and  1841  ?  Look  at  the  above  facts — at 
the  characters  of  the  men — at  their  opinions  of  one  another — at  the  ease  with 
which  1000  entries  out  of  20,000  made  in  a  year  could  ha^e  been  put  on  the 
fire— and  at  the  confusion  and  shameful  disorder  in  which  the  records  of  the  Cus- 
tnm  House  were  purposely  kept — the  important  papers  that  were  and  continue  to 
be  missing — and  doubt,  if  you  can,  that  millions  on  millions  of  dollars  paid  by  the 
merchants  have  been  in  this  way  embezzled!  If  $63,039  were  very  adroitly 
cancelled  as  credits  in  33  days  of  the  last  quarter  of  Hoyt's  incumbency,  and  the 
theft  only  discovered  through  the  change  of  officers  at  Washington,  who  can  sup- 
pose that  that  was  the  only  theft  in  the  previous  twelve  years,  under  the  indulgent 
supervision  of  Woodbury,  Wolf,  &c.  ?  It  is  true,  Mr.  Duane  was  the  man  to 
put  down  such  practices,  had  they  existed  in  1833 — but  he  was  got  rid  of— and 

"ilh  Morran,  hut  in  hi3  acts  he  protected  them.  Thmiph  a  mere  tool  in  Van  Buren'a  hands,  and  that 
toinnenf  the  meanest,  tho  Rafety  Fund  system  and  the  Regency  carried  him  into  George  Olintnn'n  seat 
MGovernnr.  I  thinic  he  was  next  appointed  to  an  oflice  in  the  State  Prison  at  Auburn,  then  to  the  Naval 
Oiiice  at  New  Yoric,  where  he  shamefully  neglected  his  duly,  and  lastly,  sent  by  Van  Buren  to  N.iples, 
li  minister.  This  is  one  of  ttiose  expensive  lollies  which  glitter  in  the  eyes  of  corrupt  tools  of  power, 
and  make  ibein  the  more  eagnr  to  prostitute  their  talents  in  a  dishoneat  cause.  Throop  was  a  reirular 
si'clt  jobber— got  810,000  in'Cayuga  Bank  stock  and  .816,000  in  Phoenix,  yielding  nearly  »I,000  profit  at 
lif^  estimate,  beside  other  slocks.  George  B.  Throop  had  other  JlO.OOO  of  the  Cavuga  Bank  stock, 
ajw  Nath'l  Garrow,  the  U.  S.  Marshal,  i»10.00d.  Georue  and  Nath'l  were  Com'rs  to  distfilnite  it.  and  ihey 
?-fci'ncir  brotiier-lii-lttw,  Ihe  Keii'r  in  Cimncery,  ciO,000,  Hunl^oinery  Hunt,  wiiose  daugiiier  one  oftiieui 
™  '"arned,  »10,000,  and  their  friend  S.  Beardsley  $10,000,  and  I  understand  not  a  penny  was  paid  on  this 
stock!  They  managed  the  job  so  as  to  control  the  bank,  Qeorg«  B.  Throop  became  ca»hier,  and  the  direc- 
wn  borrowed  out  much  more  than  th»y  hid  p»id  in. 


132 


MR.  VAN  BUREN's  OATH  AND  PRACTICE  UNDER  IT. 


even  Jonathan  Thompson,  a  Tammany  Hall  democrat,  removed,  he  not  falling  into 
•'  the  hne  of  safe  precedents"  as  a  public  pickpocket,  alias  defaulter. 

It  may  be  asked — Could  additional  embezzlements  be  discovered  now?*  I  reply— 
Cui  bono  ?  There  is  no  way  to  punish  wiiolesale  roifues  in  this  country.  And  even 
if  you  were  to  recover  millions,  they  would  be  squandered  on  army  and  navy 
officers  who  have  nobody  to  fight  with,  distributed  by  Vice  President  Dallas  among 
needy  senators,  to  pay  the  expense  of  journeys  they  never  went,  deposited  in  banks 
as  a  speculation  fund  for  their  directors,  to  'trap  merchants  with,  or  wasted  on  some 
Indian  warfare  to  be  got  up  in  Texas,  to  yield  patronage  to  the  executive.  Who 
can  have  forgotten  the  splendid  bequest  of  Mr.  Smilhson,  an  Englishman,  in  aid  of 
Education  in  America  1  The  $500,000  arrived  at  Washington.  What  became  of 
it  !  A  bankrupt  corporation  in  Arkansas,  called  the  Heal  Estate  Bank,  sold  Arkan- 
sas State  Bonds  to  Levi  Woodbury  for  the  $500,000.  Senator  Sevier  and  Gen'l 
Williamson  were  the  Commissioners  for  the  Bank — they  charged  $14,000  each 
for  expenses  and  services — paid  $5000  to  a  broker  at  Washington  to  do  the  busi- 
ness, and  lent  $8500  to  persons  in  New  York !  These  greedy  leeches  were 
instruments  of  Van  Buren — but  if  Smithson  had  known  the  characters  he  was 
trusting,  I  guess  he  would  have  put  one  clause  more  in  his  will.  His  gold  was 
sadly  reduced  before  it  reached  the  Real  Estate  Bank — and  when  a  legislative 
committee  examined  the  bank  vaults,  only  $  15,000  were  found  in  specie.  The 
debts  due  it  were  base  and  worthless  !     Listen  to  the  Globe ! 

ICP"  The  millions  lavished  on  Gales  and  Seaton  for  useless  printing  and  docu- 
mentary lumber  to  keep  up  their  polluted  and  polluting  concern,  and  to  make  good 
the  terms  of  the  coalition  with  the  conservatives  in  furnishing  support  for  their 
double-faced  journal — the  half  million  required  to  complete  the  distribution  job  of 
Clarke  and  Force — the  annual  half  million  wasted  on  out  of  the  way  light-houses, 
cheating  the  mariner  like  so  many  will-o-the- wisps  along  coasts — the  millions  sunk  in 
throwing  stones  in  rivers  and  removing  sand  or  mud  from  hopeless  harbors,  makinj 
holes,  to  be  filled  up  again  by  the  action  of  the  tide,  and  the  natural  currents— all 
these,  and  hundreds  of  other  sources  of  wasteful  and  useless  expenditures,  we 
traced"  to  Martin  Van  Buren,  it  might  have  added.  What  said  Mr.  Van  Buren's 
oath?  That  he  would  be  faithful  to  the  Constitution — and  what  does  in  enjoin! 
Speaking  of  bills,  no  matter  for  what  purpose — it  says,  of  every  bill,  "  If  he  ap- 
prove he  shall  sign  it."     Did  he  then  approve,  as  his  signature  attests?     Undoubt- 

*  I  think,  however,  that  much  information  could  be  had  ar  to  other  embezzlements  if  the  bad  men  wb 
have  profited  by  them  were  ousted.  When  a  ship  arrives  from  abroad  she  produces  a  manifest,  or  detailed 
Watemenl  of  her  cargo.  The  Inspector's  return  shews  wliat  part  went  to  the  owners,  and  what  to  the  public 
Blore.  for  examination,  or  .storage.  The  Surveyor's  assLstanl  compares  this  return  with  the  receipts  and 
permits.  It  is  .also  compared  with  the  entries  and  manifest— and  as  the  manifest  itself  might  he  compared 
with  the  cockets,  in  the  case  of  British  vessels,  there  could  be  no  knavery,  unless  knaves  sat  on  honest 
men's  stools.  Why  should  a  deputy  collector  siin  an  entry  without  making  a  minute  of  it  in  aclieck 
book?  Why  ><hould  a  Naval  Officer  make  no  immediate  record  ?  Why  should  it  rest  on  die  honor  of  a 
Phillips  or  a  Bleecker,  or  the  fancy  of  some  gambler  in  the  Collector's  chair,  whether  wholesale  fraisdor 
honesty  shall  prevail !  I  iin|)e.ach  no  one.  I  reiison  from  the  mtdlilude  of  facts  before  me.  One  thiueii 
clear,  those  who  do  not  want  the  knavery  of  former  years  to  see  the  light  will  find  out  nothing.  Mr.  Lctenio 
Hoyt's  principle  of  injuring  a  friend,  but  nevertelling  him,  has  ii.s  advocates,  even  in  aCustom  House. 

I  have  expressed  my  belief  that  the  $63,000of  entries  alistracted  in  1S41  are  not  the  only  one.s.  Lookal 
Ives's  evidence  in  the  U.  S.  Com'rs.  report.  He  stales,  11th  Dec.  1&41,  "  I  was  in  the  habit  of  paj  ing  Jli 
Phillips,  the  former  cashier,  about  .8200  a  year,  and  continued  the  same  to  Mr.  Bleecker."  He  adds,  ttei 
B.  owed  his  house  $200  to  8300  for  good.^,  and  money  lent,  but  when  he  had  charged  these  things  to  h m 
he  did  not  exi)ect  to  get  payment.  "  I  was  in  the  h.ibil,"  Ives  continues  "of  handing  to  Mr.  Bleecker.st' 
■isi.int  cashier,  checks  tcilhont  date  for  cash  duties,  instead  of  paying  the  money.  These  checks  were  lic.il 
by  Mi\  Bleecker  without  the  knowledce  of  Mr.  M'atcrs  the  cashier,  sometimes  ten  or  fifteen  days.  It  m 
undeistood  lietween  Mr.  Bleecker  and  myself  that  the  transuclions  in  regard  to  the  checks  should  not  beex' 
posed  to  Mr.  Waters."  Waters  speaks  of  Ives's  checks,  bni  there  may  have  been  many  more  of  them  than 
he  knew  of— and  if  Bleecker  conlil  keep  a  «1I).(KD()  or  $20,000  check,  taken  for  duties,  10  or  ISdays  secretly, 
"  in  a  black  box."  either  he  must  have  withheld  the  report  of  Ives's  eiury  from  Waters,  or  there  could  liai'e 
been  no  daily  settlements  and  paying  over  balances  daily  by  the  latter  to  Hoyt.  From  this  and  other  me.ani 
of  iiifiirmaiion  I  have  concluded  that  Waters  was  not  always  present  taking  money— and  that  much  that  wai 
wrong  might  have  been  done  with  a  pro|)er  understanding  of  parlies,  ujiknuwn  to  him  and  injurious  totha 
revenue. 

In  Auditor  Fleming's  evidence  about  the  missing  em riea  of  Jan.  1841.  he,  (much  astonished,  of  course) 
declares  they  were  the  only  documents  he  had  known  to  be  removed.  His  memory,  had  it  reaclieil  a*  fj' 
back  as  Gilpin  and  Barker's  visit  in  1833,  would  have  told  him  of  books,  papers,  impirtant  records  niinsin?, 
not  to  be  had— and  the  last  quarterly  return  of  Hoyt's  predecessor,  frea  from  Hoyt's  errors,  for  it  waa  iwl 

iiJC'Jc  OUl  al  at!  ; 

Mr.  Waters  swore  that  he  accounted  to  Hoyt  daily  as  cashier,  and  paid  him  the  cash  balances.  If  so,  tin 
cash  account  must  have  told  Hoyt  and  his  clerks  when  he  sent  his  last  quarterly  return  to  Washln|lon,  that 
it  was  a  dishonest  one,  for  Waters'*  book  ihowed  the  863,000  of  missing  entries,  all  entered  and  paiil 
to  Hoyt  by  hi  rn.  How  waa  it  with  the  weekly  return  lo  Wasbiugtou  t  Will  oot  Ugtilatora  who  hire  luarN 
flii4  U  dlfflsuU  to  anaat  lawi  to  kaep  them  itraigbt ! ! 


CONGRESS  WARN  VAN  BUREN  OF  HOYT  AND  COE's  MISCONDUCT.       133 

edly,  for  he  was  sworn  to  OBJECT  and  return  every  bill  which  in  his  judgment, 
was  not  for  the  people's  interest.  Did  he  do  that!  Never  in  one  instance— but 
when  upbraided  for  the  wholesale  venality,  corruption  and  shameless  profligacy  of 
his  administration,  he  replied  through  his  annual  message — that  it  was  not  the 
practice  for  presidents  to  object  to  bills  forspending  the  people's  money,  on  account 
of  their  extravagance  !  Will  not  this  man's  name  stink  in  the  nostrils  of  future 
generations  ! !  I  believe  it  is  a  fact,  that  from  '37  to  '40,  Van  Buren's  estimates,  or 
money  asked  for  public  uses,  was  $89,000,925.  Congress  voted  $  143,190,106,  or 
44  millions  additional.  By  the  virtue  of  his  oath  to  object  if  he  disapproved,  he 
signed  "  approved"  at  the  foot  of  every  bill— as  it  would  be  an  unusual  thing  for  a 
president  to  check  extravagance  ! 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 


The  Committee  of  Congress,  1839— their  report.  Mr.  Van  Buren  publicly  advised  oj 
Hoyt  and  Coe's  misconduct.  Horace  Greeley's  prophecy.  Mr.  Bryant.  The  Post 
justifies  Hoyt.  Official  Incomes.  Morris  and  the  Post  Office  boxes.  Hoyt  pockets 
$20,000 /or  a  year  (by  mistake!!.')  Coe's  income.  G.  R.  Ives.  No  fairness 
shown  to  the  merchants.  Wasson,  Shourt,  and  the  ^'privileged  carts."  Were 
Hoyt  and  the  Government  aware  of  Sivartivoul's  speculations  and  embezzlements? 
Phillips  and  Ogden.  Comptroller  Wolf.  The  late  Echford  $20,000  verdict. 
H.  A.  Wise  dmounffSs  Woodbvry.  Noah's  pvff.  Defaulters  and  Speculators  at 
Columbus  and  Fort  Wayne.  Hoyt's  insolence.  Cost  and  Character  of  the  N.  Y. 
Custom  House. 

We  have  seen  why  Mr.  "Van  Buren  appointed  Mr.  Hoyt  to  the  Custom  House. 
The  report  of  the  Committee  of  f'on£2ress,  1839,  will  show  thai  he  was  well  and 
early  informed  of  his  illegal  conduct,  and  mismanagement  there — and  the  inference 
is,  that  as  he  retained  him,  he  approved  of  that  conduct.  Speaking  of  Hoyt  and 
Coe,  the  committee  said,  that  their  returns  were  incorrect,  and  not  tu  be  believed— 
that  Hoyt  was  guilty  of  an  unlawful  retention  and  use  of  the  revenue — that  Hoyt 
would  neither  show  them  his  own  book  of  cash  deposites  in  bank,  nor  permit  the 
banks  he  used  to  show  them  his  accounts — that  he  carried  on  his  law  business  with 
his  public  business,  and  mixed  his  own  funds,  the  public  funds,  and  his  lej/al  clients' 
funds  all  up  together,  thus  creating  confusion — that  G.  A.  Worth  had  made  known 
that  Hoyt  had  deposited  the  public  money  in  banks  forbidden  to  him  bylaw  as  depos- 
itories— and  they  quoted  the  Attorney  General's  condemnation  of  koyt's  course. 
The  latter,  with  $40,000  if  not  $60,000,  of  an  annual  income,  had  the  assurance 
to  ask,  when  turned  out,  another  $200,000  for  keeping  and  tnking  care*  of  the 
revenue  (!  !),  aithouyh  the  Attorney  General  and  Contrress  had  reproved  him  for 
withholding  it  from  the  Treasury,  and  Stephen  Allen  could  not  get  it  out  of  his 
talons,  for  his  Sub-Treasury. 

Mr.  Hoyt  put  into  his  own  pocket,  the  difference  of  rent  paid  for  the  public 
stores,  and  the  sums  received  for  storage.  This  item  alone,  netted  him  over 
$11,000  a  year,  but  the  same  dishonest  and  peculatinjj  course  is  no  longer  con- 
tinued. The  U.  S.  pay  the  storeke;^pers.  clerks,  workmen,  inspectors,  &c.  there 
em|)loyed.  What  a  mockery  it  is  to  fix  tlic  value  of  one  man's  labors  at  $6,400, 
when  in  reality  those  in  the  secret  well  know  he  is  to  get  $40,000  to  $50,000, 

♦I  (In  not  wiah  tn  clans  Mr.  Bryant  with  such  trailiiiir  pnliiicinns  na  Hoyt.  Wright,  Duller,  ftc.  [God 
forbiii  !J  hill  il  ought  to  be  known  thai  he  ilid  not  saucii.m  the  leader  in  the  Post  of  March  1.  1841,  where 
it  says,  ihil  if  a  certain  slaieiiienl  co.itiihied  in  the  Ainericau  "  is  accurate,  we  do  not  see  how  BTr.  Hoyl 
could  sifeiy  do  oilierwide  than  retain  llie  money  siihject  to  the  decision  of  the  courts.  He  niiiiht  better 
reliiiiiui?li  hi!)  claim  in  it  at  once  Ihaa  to  pay  il'over  lo  the  Department  and  peliiioii  Consre.>s  to  direct  it 
lobe  n-'finided.  No  tribunal  in  llieciuniry,  perhaps  m  the  worhl,  is  more  lardy,  more  uncertain,  mors 
inililfereiil  to  ihe  just  expeciaiions  and  rights  of  private  suitors  than  the  Consress  of  the  United  Slates." 

'■  i\Ir.  Hoyt  has  been  from  an  early  period  a  warm  and  intimate  friend  of  Mr.  Van  Buren,  and  it  must 
nave  cost  ihe  Pre^^ident  an  effort  of  more  than  his  usual  firmness  to  displace  him." 

^  Just  two  years  before  this.  Horace  Greeley,  in  his  Weekly  Whi?  of  March  2,  1839,  had  recapitulated  the 
irivciiiu-aiin:}  conimiiue's  siateiiie.it  aiidinii— "  In  short,  etery  lUiilij  appears  lo  be  in  liuin  fur  another 
explosion,  whenever  the  collector  shall  deem  It  r"ore  profitable  and  safe  to  lake  steamship  than  to  continue 
In  Ihe  Custom  House."  la  it  possible  that  IMr.  Van  Buren  ^ould  have  per3uade>l  rational  beings  ihatHoyt'i 
career  was  a  separation  of  bank  ud  ttate  )  Too  nuDV  iMliered  it— but  fortunately  not  enougb  to  reoe^r 
M  term  of  the  preildencr. 


131        hoyt's  incomk  and  favoritism — o.  A.  wasson's  cahts. 

oven  if  ho  dons  not  plunder  and  jnllapc  our  inurchaiils  <in  pretended  chargeB  of 
fraud,  and  then  onil)ez7,lo  iiiid  pockol  what  he  h;i8  thus  disifraccfully  ol)tainod!  It 
Im  s(i  111  overy  tliini?.  (ii»  id  iho  Pohi  Odico,  and  ihero  you  find  Lawroiice'H  com- 
rade, Mtirri«,  ciiilironcd  in  an  old  Dutch  church  as  posuniisler.  You  liiiuk  you 
know  liin  Huhiry — hut  you  chui't.  Thu  law  says  one  thin^r,  but  practice  says  ano- 
ther. 'I'hcri!  ar(!  hoiiui  IjooO  boxes  paid  for  l»y  iho  United  Slates — oieiita  arc  paid  to 
wail  up(Hi  thcin— and  whih'  *  1  or  $  1,50  a  year  m  charucd  elsewhere  in  the  Union 
for  a  i)(ix,  hero  it  is  $i.  The  $8,000  to  $  r2,000  on  liiis,  is  it  not  a  perquitiite  of 
oHico  !  Why  not  end  this  tricky,  einiatinjf,  johi)inR,  deceptive  system  at  once— pay 
a  fair  price  "for  the  labors  of  a  postniiister,  and  ha  the  |)ublic  have  boxes  at  $1^, 
and  the  irovcruinent  tht;  revenue  '  (Jo  to  tin;  Marshal,  District  Attorney,  where 
you  please,  it  is  everywhere  a  discreditabh!,  mean  scramble,  a  craviiiff  for  bread  at 
the  expense,  too  ofttui,  of  every  manly,  indep(uident  principle.  Can  Coujrress  do  no 
betier  for  us !  Is  practical  deiiio(^r:icy  a  mockery,  and  a  reproach,  or  may  we  dare 
to  love  it  as  in  the  sunny  days  of  boyhood  and  youth? 

One  of  the  public  stores  in  New  York  was  burnt.  Very  reprehensible  was  the 
conduct  of  the  ollleers  who  had  the  niana<Tonient  of  the  s;ile  by  auction  of  the 
damaged  ijooila.  The  nolt  jiroeeeds  were  paid  to  Mr.  lloyt,  F'>b.  11  and  21,  1840, 
to  he,  by  him,  that  day  placeil  at  the  credit  of  the  frovornment,  in  his  accounts. 
Did  he  do  it '  No.  lie  pocketed  the  money,  $  UKOii\)—ipiTvlatc(l  oil  itforaycar, 
and  merely  cliarired  himself  with  it  for  form's  sake,  on  the  20th  of  Feb.  1811,  just 
to  enahle  the!  jroverninent  to  state  more  correctly  the  sum  total  of  his  embezzle- 
ments!  "Why  did  yon  do  it?"  said  one.  "1  forgot  it,"  quoth  Jesse.  The 
interest  of  this  and  other  sums  kept  by  him,  when  the  treasury  ought  to  have  had 
'em.  I  value  at  $  10,000  a  year,  at  the  usual  rate  of  interest.  Besides  the  use  of 
th(!  $  10,02!),  ho  charged  the  U.  S.  .$2,000  for  storing  the  goods,  auctioned,  tnthe 
U.  S.  Starrs. 

1  have  heard  tho.fcrx  for  three  years  estimated  at  $35,02.').  Here  was  $10,000 
to  him,  ill  that  time,  from  that  source.  One  may  judge  what  a  besom  or  scourge 
Iloyt  was,  where  ho  tells  us  in  his  letters,  p.  l.'J.'J,  that  the  fines,  forfeits,  and  pen- 
alties paid  by  him  to  the  treasury  in  less  than  three  years  eame  to  $01,000— while 
in  the  previous  20  years  thev  had  only  amounted  to  $  140,000.  Fleming  says  that 
lloyt  had  $29,373  as  his  nett  share  of  this  sort  of  plunder— $  10,000  a  year  that 
was— and  the  same  went  to  Coe  and  Craig,  each,  yearly,  making  their  places  worth 
$  16,000  to  $  18,000  per  annum— though  that  is  nuchr  the  reality. 

Iloyt  was  never  satisfied.  He  told  Woodbury  that  integrity  must  be  better  paid. 
He  served  9  months  in  1838,  and  actually  contended  for  the  whole  year's  pay! 
"  Can  you  be  honest,  Mungo?"  says  one  of  Sheridan's  heroes  to  his  black  servant. 
"  What  you  give  me,  massa!"  replied  the  negro.  No  man  has  done  more  to  injure 
Van  Duren  permanently,  than  Jesse  Hoyt. 

Compare  w hat  follows  with  Mr.  Hoyt's  conduct  to  the  foreign  houses  whose 
goods  were  seized  : 

George  H.  Ives,  of  the  firm  of  Labron  &  Ives,  was  a  standing  witnsss  for  Hoyt 
in  seizure  cases.  Mr.  Louusberry  swore  that  Cairns  of  the  woollens  loft,  would  pass 
Ives's  invoices  as  fairly  charged,  though  rated  10  to  15  per  cent,  under  value — while 
to  other  houses  who  gave  fair  invoices  of  same  kind  of  goods  he  would  raise  the 
price  10  or  15  per  cent.  It  is  conduct  like  this  that  embarrasses  the  honest  dealer. 
On  tme  occasion  Cairns  raised  the  invoice  price  of  a  lot  of  woollens  20  to  25  per 
cent.,  not  knowing  the  owner.  Mr.  Ives  arrived,  said  the  goods  were  his— they 
talked  privately,  and  the  invoice  was  at  once  reduced  to  its  old  rate. 

On  one  occasion  a  lot  of  Ives's  woollens  were  measured.  There  were  3900 
varda  more  than  was  entered — the  fraud  was  clear.  Let  him  have  his  goods,  said 
lloyt.  To  a  foreign  merchant  he  would  at  once  have  replied — "  I  seize  your  goods, 
^ir.  for  the  fraud."  There  were  13  bales  and  390  pieces — every  piece  was  10 
yards  longer  than  stated. 

The  reader  will  remember  George  Shonrt,  whom  Judge  Ulshoeffer's  brother  re- 
commended for  promotion  from  the  cartage  of  the  Evening  Post  to  that  of  the  Cus- 
tom House.  He  got  the  place,  but  it  was  believed  that  his  cart  was  Hoyt's,  subrosa.^ 
Be  tiiis  as  it  may,  G.  A.  Wasson  charged  for  cartage  in  three  years,  $4 1, 68b",  and 
only  two  privileged  carts,  at  30  to  50  cents  each  package,  or  $  3  to  $  10  per  load ! 
He' charged  for"  labor  in  the  public  stores  $51,659— and  he  made  outhisbilli, 


L.  WOODBUEY — SWARTWOUT^S  ACCOOKTS. 


135 


lousea  whose 


"  paid  ior  cartape,  $ "  "paid  for  labor  $ ,"  gave  no  particulars— touched 

liis  $3000  a  month  as  paymaater,  and  of  that  kept  the  larger  share  as  cartman. 
We  can  judge  of  the  infamously  corrupt  character  of  the  treasury  office  in  those 
days  wlieii  Ijiiis  liko  this  for  nearly  $  100,000  were  taken  without  the  agent  pro- 
ducing a  single  voucher— and  the  charges,  too,  80  enormous]  No  matter  !  Levi 
Woodbury  &  Co.  did  not  stand  on  trifles  with  a  friend.  Wasson  was  one  of 
lloyt's  "  battalion  of  testimony" — was  made  a  deputy  collector— would  nett 
$2000  besides,  for  going  from  town  to  town  to  swear — abstracted  goods  from  the 
public  stores  for  his  own  use— and,  though  professedly  poor  at  first,  as  an  inspec- 
tor—he suddenly  "  built  several  splendid  edifices  in  New  York,  and  set  up  his  car- 
riage for  comfort  and  convenience."  Nor  is  this  to  be  wondered  at.  The  two 
carts  above  had  made  a  profit  of  $35,000,  or  over  $  10,000  a  year. 

One  effect  of  the  government  enquiry  under  President  Tyler  was  the  dismissal  of 
Wasson  and  Cairns.  The  former  was  urged  on  Swartwout  by  one  of  his  sureties, 
08  follows  : 

J.  Oakley  to  S.  Swartwout,  8  Cedar  St, 

"April  28,  1830.  Dear  Sir. — There  is  a  very  deserving  man  by  the  name  of 
George  A.  Wasson  a  measurer  attached  to  the  public  store.  I  do  not  know  that 
he  would,  under  any  circumstances,  be  removed,  as  I  understand  he  has  been  a 
Jackson-man  and  was  appointed  through  the  influence  of  Mr.  Baldwin  of  Pitts- 
burgh, who  is  his  friend.  As  it  is  a  matter  of  great  importance  to  him,  however, 
he  has  requested  me  to  speak  to  you  on  the  subject.  I  wish  you  would  have  the 
goodness,  if  his  removal  is  contemplated,  to  let  me  see  you.    Yours  truly, 

J.  OAKLEY. 

P.  S.  Permit  me  to  suggest,  by  way  of  manifesting  my  regard  for  your  com- 
fort, that  you  had  better  make  the  removals  and  appointments  which  you  contem- 
plate, at  once.  If  you  do  not,  there  will  not  be  as  much  of  you  left  in  a  few  days 
as  there  was  of  the  Kilkenny  Cats." 

I  think  there  can  be  be  no  doubt  but  that  Mr.  Woodbury's  office  knew  that 
Swartwout  was  a  heavy  defaulter  long  before  he  left  for  Paris— but  it  seemed  to  be 
an  object  with  him  to  remain  quiet  till  after  the  elections  of  Nov.  1838,  Mr.  Hoyt 
and  his  friends  could  not  have  remained  ignorant  of  the  real  state  of  Swartwout's 
affairs  after  June,  1838,  the  end  of  his  (iloyt's)  first  quarter.  They  must  have 
seen  that  Swartwout  was  $846,754  behind,  for  cash  paid  him  on  bonds.  Mr, 
Ogden,  Swartwout's  cashier,  was  Hoyt's  cashier  till  March,  1830- he  knew  the 
whole ;  and  yet  Gilpin  the  Solicitor  was  not  sent  to  New  York  till  Nov,  1838, 
If  the  department  received  the  accounts  required  by  law,  Mr.  Woodbury  must  have 
known  of  a  defalcation,  even  in  1837— but  as  he  was  lenient  to  ether  men  who  had 
embezzled  large  sums,  hut  professed  to  be  active  partisans,  perhaps  it  was  his  wish 
to  be  so  with  Swartwout  and  his  friends.  When  Mr,  Swartwout  declined  to  send 
his  last  quarter's  account  to  Washington  in  April,  1838,  why  did  Woodbury  not 
send  an  officer  to  get  it  till  November  \  This  shows  a  corrupt  and  willful  omission 
of  duty  on  his  part,  and  Wolf  the  Comptroller  is  not  less  culpable.  Considering 
Woodbury's  character  as  a  statesman  this  fact  ought  never  to  be  forgotten.  Gilpin, 
in  Nov.  tells  Woodbury  that  the  accounts  had  not  been  furnished  because  Swart- 
wout  wished  them  to  be  withheld  till  he  would  return  from  Paris !  Was  this  a 
sufficient  reason  for  Woodbury's  waiting  till  Nov.  for  the  quarterly  return  due  in 
April  from  the  principal  revenue  office  in  the  Union  ?  Swartwout,  Ogden,  and 
Fleming  were  together  in  this  business.  On  July  19,  1837,  Jesse  Miller,  1st  audi- 
tor, Washington,  writes  Swartwout—"  Sir  :  Your  accounts  of  Customs  and  official 
emoluments  for  the  first  quarter  of  1837  are  received."  Then  the  words  in  italics 
are  crossed  out,  and  a  note  added  : — "  The  above  do  not  include  abstracts  of  bonds 
taken  and  bonds  paid,"  It  would  thus  seem  that  they  were  too  lazy  and  indolent 
at  Washington  to  compel  the  return  from  New  York  of  those  statements  which, 
had  they  wished  it,  would  have  at  any  moment,  exposed  the  chief  item  of  S's  de- 
linquency.   This  letter  referred  to  a  return  a  year  ahead  of  Swartwout's  last and 

yet  Fleming  was  retained  also !  Look  at  the  private  connection  of  the  parties, 
with  the  swindlers  of  1826,  the  insolvents  of  1837,  the  stockjobbers,  landjobbers, 
and  Martin  Van  Buren  their  comrade,  and  you  are  answered.     When  Mr.  Ogden, 


136 


HENRY  OGDEN — SECRETARY  WOODBURY's  CONDUCT. 


in  Nov.  1838,  told  Gilpin  of  his  conversation  with  Swartwout  before  he  sailed  to 
France  in  August  previous,  and  that  he  then  well  knew  of  the  monies  embezzled 
are  we  to  suppose  that  Hoyt  would  have  kept  him  (Opden)  longer  in  the  cashier's 

Elace,  had  he  concealed  the  shameful  affair  from  liim  till  then  !  Mr.  Ogden  had 
ept  office  under  Swartwout  for  many  years,  and  admits  that  he  knew  ihai  the 
Collector  began  to  embezzle  the  public  money  nine  months  after  he  was  appointed 
and  use  it  in  his  private  speculations,  and  that  he  had  often  told  him  so,  as  hud  Fhijl 
lips.  What  was  Mr.  Ogden 's  oath  as  an  officer,  and  his  obligation  as  a  citizen' 
Was  it  to  let  the  robbery  reach  42  tons  of  solid  silver,  keep  his  salary  and  office 
and  hold  his  tongue?  Did  he  do  this  ?  If  he  did  not,  but  acted  honestly,  what  are 
we  to  say  of  the  president  and  treasury  department,  who  knew  of  and  yet  concealed 
Buch  wholesale  villainy  ?  And  if  he  did,  why  did  th<y  reiain  him  as  cashier  after  this 
public  avowal,  one  single  hour,  and  lill  March.  18:19  1  *  Let  me  here  direct  public 
attention  to  a  recent  movement  of  Butlers,  by  which,  not  only  is  Henry  Ecklord's 
estate  cleared  of  all  responsibility  ihrouijh  his  suretyship  for  Swartwout,  but  the 
United  States  are  asses.-ed  $20,000  to  Eckfoid's  heirs.  There  was  no  "  CouncU 
fie"  from  the  defendant  in  this  case,  I  trust— but  as  the  District  Attorney  knew 

*  Mr.  Fleming  was  the  auditor  from  July,  1836  and  yet  he  tells  in  1838.  that  he  was  ignorant  nf  Svvsri 
wont's  (lefuull  till  AugUdl,  1S3S,  when  (.^ee  hU  teller  lo  Gllpia)  he  told  Ogden  who  bade  hini  tell  I'^warlwiim 
who  prelemled  surprise,  although  Omieii  owns  that  Swartwout,  Phillip.'i  and  himself  knew  hU  about  it  fmm 
the  cminieiicsmKnt  m  1629.  Why  did  Woodbury  aad  Hoyt  remain  silent  even  then  1  Consre.ssmen  kc 
were  to  Im  chosen  in  Nov'r.  and  sllenCB  would  help  the  party.  Just  so  it  was  when  850  000  was  siolpn 
from  the  Brooklyn  Ba.ik— sdence  was  the  most  profitable  alternative— not  to  the  public  but  lo  the  bank 

It  IS  very  evident  fnun  Mr.  Fleming's  letter  that  the  full  default  of  Swartwout  "  was  finally  ascertained" 
m  Aiisust,  18:i3— and  it  is  equally  clear  that  had  Coe.  the  naval  olhcer  done  his  duty,  the  defalcation cmiirt 
only  have  occurred  with  the  open  sanction  of  the  Treasury  chief  He  neglected  his  duty  bowever  ve  v 
discredilably,  and  it  is  but  tardy  justice  lo  give  him  a  place  among  Ids  comrades  here  ' 

A  review  of  Swart  wont's  case,  said  H.  A.  Wise.  [Globe  report]  •  .shows  that  every  check  nas  been  aban. 
dnned  by  the  Secretary— the  Naval  Olficer- the  Comptroller— not  to  say  by  the  First  Auditor  .«ir  if  uariv 
Biiirit,  like  a  fiend,  did  not  belrieml  and  sustain  this  Secretary  [L.  Woodbury l-ijardon  and  whitewash  iii« 
hideous  deformities  and  delinquencies- blight  all  moral  sensi'-ility  here  in  this  hall  and  at  the  While 
House,  he  would  lie  removed  from  olfice  instantly,  or  be  impeacheil.  Go  where  you  will-trace  him  aiiv 
where,  and  you  will  find  him  dull,  stupid,  inconipeiont.  neileclful.  faithless,  and  corrupt  I  mince  m 
terms- fear  no  resironsibililies.  If  he  liad  the  sensiliiiilies  of  a'  man,  he  would  demand  a  trial  Give  me  »n 
nonen  jury,  and  I  will,  upon  these  papers,  convict  him  !" 

It  is  crediiaMe  to  Polk  that  Wise  holds  olfice  under  him  Let  that  go  as  an  offset  to  the  toTinorarv 
emp  nyment  of  Wetmore  and  Bntler-and  it  was  a  spirited  act  of  the  clerk  of  the  Auditor  at  Washiiiffton 
(Alalion)  frankly  to  avow  tQ-  that  the  •  weekly  and  monthly  relunis  of  moneys  received  and  uaiu  at  ih 
custom  house,"  tlie  "ret  urn  of  debentures  "  -  abstracts  of  b.inds  put  in  suit.'*'  "  summary  statement  of 
duties  collected."  "  schedule  of  bonds  taken  and  liqnid.iied"  roqnired  for  the  Secretary's  oliic  have  no 
been  properly  arranged  and  compared  with  each  other  and  with  the  quarterly  account  curreni  of  the  ciis. 
loins  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  hinwelf  i.  i-oueiu  ui  mecus- 

Ilunest  Monlecai  Noali,  who  wouhl  proliably  praise  Satan  when  ho  deserved  it,  "for  a  consideration  " 


gg,^eva.\.  ■  "      "■■" '""^"'^'  ""'*  °'"'^''''  ''""''i" 

I  have  said  tliat  Woodbury  was  merciful  to  public  pilferers.    For  example,  "  Harris,  the  receiver  at 

Columbus  Mississippi,  was  a  notorious  drunkard  and  defaulter,  but  kept  in  office  two  years  in  full  know 
o'^'*,.?'  ^}l^  department,  until  he  owed  5160,000."  So  Mr.  Wise  tells  us,  through  the  Globe  In  Au"l 
3.J,  \\  oodbury  tells  Harris  that  he  is  a  defaulter— again  in  Oct.-and  so  on  till  Sept.  1836,  when  the  fellow 

proposes  to  resign,  after  having  been  two  and  a  half  years  a  heavy  defaulter !  I    A  Mr  G  D  Bovd  sue. 

ceeded  Harris,  and  was  "intemperate,"  a  land  speculator,  like  Butler,  and  resigned,  a.  defaulter  nianv 

Ihoiisam  dollars  in  arrears,  in  August,  ia37.  John  Davis  applied  next,  as  '  a  warm  friend  of  the  adminis 
it'ed"  !  Woodbury,  the  Secretary,  was  once  a  judge  in  N.  H.    Were  not  the  people  there  to  te 

Col.  John  Spencer,  Receiver  at  Fort  Wayne,  was  charged  by  the  government  examiner,  (Aue't  22  1836) 
With  gross  misconduct,  as  follows :  =       .        =  ,  v^ug    «-.,  iuuu,j 

"Upon  the  subject  of  using  the  money  of  the  United  States,  I  heg  leave  to  state  that  I  find  It  universally 
stated  and  believed,  and  it  is  conceded  to  as  a  fad  by  the  clerks  in  the  receiver's  office,  that  both  lie  and 
his  relative,  Uawson,  have  been  much  in  the  habit,  in  the  oflice,  of  shaving  money  ;  that  is,  exchanging  thj 
money  which  cotjld  not  be  received  for  public  lands;  the  rate  of  e.xchange  or  discount  varying  from  thrleto 
five  per  cent.  I  find  in  the  case  of  Isaiah  Wells,  of  Marion  county,  Ohio,  that,  so  recenUv  as  the  6  h 
instant,  he  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  receiver,  in  his  office,  eight  dollars  for  exchanging  two  hundred  and 
forty  dollars  of  Ohio  bank  notes  of  five  dollars  each  To  what  extent  this  shaving  business  has  been  carried 
on  in  the  office,  of  course  I  do  not  know,  but  I  am  satisfieil  it  has  been  to  a  very  considerable  extent;  and 
that  the  government  money  paid  in  by  one  person  has  been  handed  out  by  the  receiver  in  exchange  for 
uncurrant,  or  not  land  office  money— he  receiving  for  his  own  private  use  the  discount  as  agreed  UDon";  and 
that  the  same  government  money  again  is  [lassedinto  the  land  office,  to  be  again  used  for  the  like  puipoM, 
n  pay  for  the  public  lands.  That  the  receiver  has  taken  in  bank  notes  of  five  dollars,  contrary  to  orW 
the  scliednle^prepared  at  his  office,  herewith  enclosed,  will  prove;  that  he  received  a  bonus  for  taking  tha 

S.irM*j  !■■?,  •  ..^'i{t^,  s!f('.".st  i.?yonu  a  uOliDt.  ' 

On  the  27ihOct.  Spencer  writes  Woodbury-  "  My  democratic  friends  think  I  ought  not  to  leave  until 
after  we  hold  our  election  for  President  "  and  the  Van  Buren  note  shaver  remained  accordingly  ;  Woodburr 
justifyinf  hiH  conduct  and  accepting  his  apologies  for  irregularity,  immorality,  and  crime  I 


HOYT,  WOODBURY  AND  THE  NEW  YORK  CUSTOM  HOUSE.  137 

how  Swartwout'8  afRiirs  stood,  it  puzzles  me  tc  understand  the  method  whereby  he 
arrived,  .n  court  at  the  above  result.  The  decision  deserves  to  be  overhauled  and 
so  does  Mr.  Bu  ter_a„d  if  all  be  ri^ht,  so  much  the  better.  B.°h  PhS  ips  and 
Ogden  showed  Gilpm  .hat  even  in  1831,  Swartwoufs  deficit  began  to  be  larae- 
am  It  sa   how  cama  ihis  $20,000  verdict  against  the  United  Statis  i  ^ 

Mr.  Hoyt  was  very  insolent  to  his  superior  officers.  When  the  suh-trPisnrv  not 
created  new  relations  between  him,  as  Collector,  and  the  govemLit,  Mr   Wood- 

ury  twice  required  h.m  to  give  new  bonds,  with  real  security.     tI  3  he  noTo"?; 

?  ^l".n  ,h°  ^<'  •'"'  ''^Y  ^"  l^^  '""^^  =^"°^=^"t  and  insuhing  manner  possiW 
Had  I  been  the  Secretary,  I  vvoulrl  have  told  Mr.   Van  Buren^"  Sir    tE  man 

Senc'e  '' ™'""^  ''  °"'''  ''  '^  '''^''^  ''  ^'^'^  ^^  '^''^^^^^  -'  your  e'arliest  Tn" 
Probably  Woodbury's  office  was  his  dependence  for  oread  to  his  family  Mr 
Hovtsold  securuios  were  utterly  insolvent-nor  do  I  suppose  he  oHhey  have 
paid  back  a  cent  of  his  default.  Mr.  Allen  became  sub-treasurer  at  N  York  and 
Hoyt  was  ordered  to  pay  the  large  balance  in  his  hands  to  Allen.  Not  he '  '  He 
talked  them  all  out  of  the  cash-corresponded  at  great  length-upheld  Beers  & 
Co.-and  was  upheld  by  Mr.  V.  Buren.  Mr.  Campbell,  0.  S.  Treasurerhad 
a  correspondence  with  Hoyt  in  1839,  who  wrote  him  (Oc  .  14)-"  Mr  Hoy,  h2 
"wnSn'"  ^  technicalities  of  the  accounting  officers-ONLY  A  BYiSS 
HOUND  can  trace  out  every  little  subject  of  their  criticism." 

Jl\T^  r^^  ^'''^  y'"''"^  ^°  P''°I'"^  ^°^  trial.  He  had  some  eight  or  ten 
emmnt  counsel  employed-seven  of  whom  attended  his  defence-the  government 
nduOgden  Hoffman  and  Hoyt's  friend  Talmage  of  Beerss  Bank-weeks  were 
allotted  to  the  inquiry-and  Hoyt  was  stamped  by  the  jury  ID=  a  countl^fT* 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Rmarhs  on  the  Judiciary.  A  decision  tn  the  Court  of  Errors  A  ChanrpJJnr  *^  t,. 
soMouL  Butkr  on  $50  fees-his  Chrtsttan  fedingltoward,  SZiVdJ^^ 
mhoeffer  on  Noah  Judgeships,  and  State  Printers.  ^Mrs.  Butler  to  f  mtt^ 
race  of  poor  Judges  for  a  District  Attorneyship.     Edmonds  andSMani-' 

This  chapter  contains  a  variety  rather  of  letters  and  extracts  from  letters  whioh 
throw  more   light  upon  the  practice  of  the  law  courts,}  and  the  way  in  wliich 

^^^^f^t^^^^^^^^^  -- .at  New  Vor.  atone. 

ai.a  uiwcrupuloiH  a  partidan  as  Lawrence  at  iis  tieacl  required  at  higli  i)rea8ure,  Willi  so  thorough 

red.  Bui  to  do  busiae.3  ihu.,  the  very  l.o.t  »  e  ,  mus  1«  ^  ect^,  canab  "  f  .th^  n""".  ?''''""""  ""^  '""'"■ 
wh-vn  ail  electioneering  subacriiuion,  or  a  question  rtoiiarivr^.liiiP^'Sl;^  servania,  among 

mglo  the  publicand  11.^  merchant,  i    w.fuld  be  wer^t  ,0    at  L^  KnT to  fv."!?,'  ^  ^^"^-    ^hat  abless- 
b.»iemple  in  Wall  street,  and  it.  Iionl-  „f  jobbing  n^,|fc,Cntnsio«L«^t?'''',*^  'J-'  ^"""  '°  '^e  raar- 
N'metoBii  yoirs  a"o,  when  th>  \  \'     Nisti.tn  Tto,,;J  r>r,V.^l.;  P«"^'""e".  and  mock  officers  swept  out ! 

rivedat.  Mr' Van  B^urerMr  Beuum,  an'T o  he"  "4rrfcZ'mitue%TtVe"&,^r  l"  °^  ''''!''  '>  ""^  -'"=«  "• 
ten    Speakins  of  its  officers,  Mr.  Benton  thensaid  ■         '^°"'"""^*  ""^tha  Senate  to  enquire  into  such  mat- 

,  tremeiiclous  in  an  election  :  and  that  they  will  Iwaranmat^^^^^  ?^  ""*  spirit,  must  be 

lion.  Poicer  over  a  man's  suoporl  hi  always  been  1^^^  id  and  Llmi*^  K'^"  '°°  P'"'"  '"  "«"''  'iemoiialra- 
Pre^iileiit  has  '  power'  over  the  '  siipwi^  of  allVhiU  ftffl.^^.  ^i  k  ^  '"  ^  ?  '"""''  °^«''  his  mil.  Ths 
I>'rt'  cf  debtor  merchmls  to  the  am  m^i  of  ten  m  Mions^-  yoTt«™  n..^*^  ^*'"  ''^T^  '  !»"'«'■'  "^er  the  '  suf^ 

I  ;.™o ,,  the  entire  patronage  of  the  Ex^c^Vi;et^5„an7,.-„r«^?;;^^^^^^^^^^ 

'    t'w.;f  nf  """  ""  TV'"'  '""'  ^'"'^  """  ^'^^  """'  '"  '"'  *">"«  for  this  time  at  lea,t. 

« le  or  m,ire  of  its  otikers  robbed  it  of  more  tlian  half  its  ca  ^1h1      Th„  .to.  "^   t  >"re-and  soon  after  this 
t  TX-.  or  four  of  the  dire.ors  knew  this-an^t-ri^ed''^  ^TL  V:L^:\r^'^.  B^ r/afS^Zd 


138 


A  TRIUMPH  OF  LAW  OVEE  EQUITY. 


judges  and  district  attorneys  are,  or  formerly  were,  made.  We  have,  first,  Mr.  L, 
Hoyi's  letter  describing  his  satisfaction  at  a  legal  triumph  over  equity  in  the  Court 
of  Errors.  Then  we  have  Mr.  Livingston's  account  of  a  Chancellor  about  to  be 
sold  out  by  the  sheriff!  Next,  an  evidence  of  Mr.  Butler's/ee/in^5  towards  Judges 
Spencer  and  Woodworth — followed  by  two  characteristic  extracts  from  letters  by 
Judge  Ulshoeffer,  (who  did  not  want  to  be  a  first  county  judge,)  about  judge  making 
— and  lastly,  a  couple  of  sententious  epistles  from  a  lady — Mrs.  B.  F.  Butler— to 
her  dear  friend  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt,  in  which  she  asks  his  aid  to  help  Judge  Suther- 
land down  from  the  supreme  court  bench,  (if  he  had  not  already  left  it,)  and  up  to 
a  $  30,000  salary,  "on  account  of  his  peculiarly  unpleasant  situation  in  a  pecu- 
niary point  of  view  " — admits  Judge  Edmonds'  claims,  "  so  far  as  pauperism  is  a 
qualification  " — mentions  Price,  and  her  good  man's  guoss  about  him — admits  her- 


self to  be  an  old  federalist — and  copp- 
that  he  "  would  yet  see  brighter  day 


'^•^ssp  uuuci  his  "  misfortunes,"  hoping 


Extract  from  a  letter — Lorenzo  Hoyt  .;,s  brother  Tesse,  [both  of  them  Albanv 
lawyers]  dated  Albany,  Dec.  24,  1823 — "  McDonald's  cause  is  decided  in  his 
favor,  and  for  which  I  think  he  may  thank  Chief  Justice  Savage.  Sutherland  aid 
Woodworth,  together  with  11  Senators,  were  dead  against  him.  I  CONSIDER 
IT  A  TRIUMPH  OF  THE  LAW  OVER  EQUITY  AND  GOOD  CON- 
SCIENCE. I  must  say  I  had  but  very  slight  hopes  before  the  argument,  but 
after  the  cause  was  argued,  and  the  facts  so  ably  and  correctly  laid  open  to  the 
Senate,  I  thought  McDonald's  prospects  brightened.  Messrs.  Van  Vechten  and 
Henry,  who  argued  the  cause  on  the  other  side,  were  sadly  disappointed  at  the  | 
result.  From  the  circu7nstances  of  Mr.  Butler'' s  being  engaged  as  Counsel,  my  fed- 
tngs  were  much  enlisted  in  McDonald' s  favor ,  and  I  felt  very  much  interested  in  the  j 
result." 

Edward  Livingston  to  Jesse  Hoyt.     [Extract.]     Albany,  post  mark.  May  H, 
"  I  have  abandoned  all  idea  of  settling  at  Albany.     The  Chancellor  has  been  so  | 
much  perplexed  harrassed  of  late  that  he  this  day  permits  his  furniture  to  be  s 
at  Sheriff's  sale*  and  bought  in.     This  will  be  my  apology  to  you  for  this  shon  I 
letter."     [The  date  is  not  given,  but  it  must  have  been  between  1821  and  '27.    He 
adds  that]  "  Seymour  it  is  supposed  is  elected  in  the  Western  District. — Make  me 
one  of  the  Committee  in  the  first  ward  [of  N.  Y  ]  for  nominating.    Tell  Hatch  to  | 
attend  to  it." 

Mr.  B.  F.  Butler  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt,  40  Wall  st.  New  York,  Oct.  12,  1820. 

Dear  Sir, — I  am  happy  to  hear  of  your  success — and  hope  it  may  continue- 
$  50  and    $  100  fees  are  not  very  plenty  in  this  part  of  the  country,  at  least  noi  I 
with  young  lawyers.     Our  circuit  still  continues.     Judge  Woodworth,  in  person 
and  in  business — "  Like  a  wounded  snake,  drags  his  slow  length  along."    He  1 

fom'ra,  from  the  public,  and  from  the  bank  committee  of  1337.  John  A.  Latt  was  first  county  juilsecf  I 
Kiii29,  and  a  director,  and  when  he  knew  of  the  fulony  he  abstained  from  calling  attention  to  it.  Even 
when  Mr.  Treadwell,  a  Counsellor  in  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  had  written  out  a  complaint,  sworn  lo 
and  plac6d  it  in  Judge  Lott'a  hand  to  send  to  the  Grand  Jury,  he  did  not  send  it  though  he  said  he  would. 
The  concealment  of  the  Bank  embezzlement  was  felony — so  was  the  embezzlement— but  no  one  was  pro- 1 
ceeded  against.  Crime  was  hushed  up  lest  Woodbury  would  hear  of  it  and  take  out  the  deposites?  Like 
Butler,  the  first  care  was  to  "  save  the  bank,"  If  bank  directors  will  do  this  to  get  the  deposites— if  judea 
will  thus  act  on  their  oaths— what  must  be  the  influence  in  the  hands  of  a  corrupt  and  vile  government  win 
have  continually  ten  or  fifteen  millions  by  which  to  attract  the  supiwrt  of  the  lovers  of  mammon!  in 
Senator  this  judse  voted  for  Barker  lo  he  Attorney  General,  that  wn  of  course.  Another  Jnhn  Lott,  a  ger* 
rtl,  from  same  place,  bein"  in  "  necessitous  circumstances,"  applied  lo  Major  Swartwout  for  81500 aya 
iu  the  Custom  House,  and  went  into  office  there  accordingly.  | 

*  A  Chancellor's  chairs  and  tables,  feather  beds  and  palliasses,  going  under  ihe  hammer,  at  Albany. f( 
debt,  looks  like  a  sign  of  judicial  purity.  If  he  had  stained  the  ermine  by  taking  bribes,  like  Lord  Bacon,  I 
he  would  have  been  more  wealthy,  and  better  able  to  keep  off  the  sheriff:  I  wish  the  Ex-Clerk  of  Assembly  I 
had  been  so  careful  as  lo  date  his  letters,  that  we  might  have  been  enabled  to  record  the  name  of  one  i 
Andrew  Marvell  at  least  in  the  midst  of  a  judiciary  of  political  partisans  and  dealers  in  slocks,  shares,  [ 
scrij).  and  all  the  hocus  pocus  of  Wall  and  Lombard  streets.  Marcy  con)e8  next  to  him.  Ho  was  placed  0.1 
the  Supreme  Court  bench,  (says  Gov.  Van  Buren,)  to  ensure  his  salvation  from  ruin  in  this  worla  at  least  [ 
I  fear  he  was  too  long  grateful  to  his  benefactor. 

It  is  a  common  bv-word  that  the  N.  Y.  Custom  House  is  a  sort  of  lazar-house  or  hospital  for  dise; 
politicians,  but  I  did  not  expect  to  see  it  acknowledged  by  the  leaders  of '  the  democracy'  tnat  the  Judiciarj  I 
bench  i.s  not  much  bettor.  Soma  folks  think  tliat  Judges  lose  their  wisdom  ;il  sixiy- otiieis  IhattbTl 
improve  as  they  get  older.  In  some  countries  men  are  chosen  to  preside  in  the  courts,  because  of  tte  I 
honesty,  skill,  and  learning— while  in  others  they  ascend  the  bench,  or  fill  Ihe  procurator  fiscal's  seal.oj  I 
the  principle  on  which  neat  cattle  are  stall-fed— to  fatten  them.  Will  not  thes«  facts  rouse  the  true  hearleO  | 
milliuas  to  prepare  for  tCk"  the  Convention} 


JUDGES — JUDGE  MAKING CAUCUSES. 


139 


in  this  world  at  leasi 


given  very  general  dissatisfaction  this  court.     .     .     .  Thp  o\iv  h-,,, !,««« 

full  of  farmers,  &c  these  two  days_at  a  Cattle  Sho^-^buU  Wv^'eenLt^ilTf 
,t  myself.     Chief  Justice  Spencer  delivered  a  speech  on  the  occasion,  by  way  as  I 

TZatflffT""'''''  ^''  '^'  ^""'f  r^''"  ^  ""^^  *^  '^^V'^^'^  '<>  rettrc  to  Shades 
oj  pruacc  uje In  haste,  yours  truly, 

,      ,  .  B.  F.  BUTLER. 

In  another  etter,  April  1819,  Mr.  Butler  tells  Mr.  Hoyt  from  Sandy  Hill  that 
"  The  appointment  of  Jud^^e  Woodworth  is  universally  reprobated  here  wi^hoJt 
any  exceptions,  except  the  Clintonians."  "^vcu  iicre  ,  wiinoui 

Extracts  of  letters  from  Michael  Ulshoeffer,  1st  County  Judge,  N.  Y  to  Jessa 
Hoyt,  member  of  Assembly,  Albany.  ^      ^  '  '      ^^^ 

New  York,  Feb.  3,  1823.-"  I  presume  that  our  city  appointments  are  to  be 
rec  mmended  by  the  members,  at  least  I  have  been  informed  that  such  is  the  wish 
of  he  Governor      Will  your  friend  Noah  consent  to  this?-for  I  see  bl  his  paier 
that  he  rulas  at  A  bany,  and  that  those  who  offend  him  are  to  receive  L  quarter 
Pray  inform  me  whether  he  is  authorised  to  say,  as  he  does  in  his  paper  Ihafall 

tt St"e?i   wf::"''  ''^  'h'""  ''I'  ^*  ^"'"^'  "'  -^  °ff-  their  na^rai  Albany 
this  winter?   What  are  you  doing  about  state  printer,  will  not  Leake  obtain  it '  Let 

Z  tZeZl         """"  '"^  °P'"  ''  "'^""'"^'^  °PP°^^^^°"  ^«  ™^''^'  «'  niak^g  agai;:; 

.h^H^Jr'"'';!'''-  ^^'k^®^^-  ^/''?  '■"'P^'^t  *°  th^  Comptrollership,  I  can  only  say 
h  t  t  was  not  desired  by  me,  and  that  I  had  so  written  before  I  received  your\ind 
letter  I  have  no  such  views,  I  assure  you.  Even  that  highly  respectable  situatoJ 
would  not  tempt  me  to  leave  here  and  reside  at  Albany.  Nor  rifeTeto TlZe 
first  Judge  tn  amj  event  My  views  are  more  hnmbll,  and  I  have  no  intention  2 
present  to  become  a  candidate  for  any  office  beyond  that  of  a  Notary  PubS  Ac 
cept,  however,  my  grateful  thanks  for  your  friendly  intentions,  and  if  I  Lve  an 
opportunity  I  will  reciprocate.  Do  not  make  a  Staie  Printer,*  who  will  tJInsfer 
the  feuds  of  New  York  to  Albany,  and  throughout  the  State  Dulners  would  be 
preferable  to  mdiscretion.  Do  look  to  this.  !  regret  that  the  appearance^?  things 
isunpropitious  at  Albany.  But  is  it  necessary  to  oppose  Governor  Yates 'W^^^^ 
notth.n,.s  goon  smoothly  in  future?  If  the  members  of  AssemblyTave  r' o^mS 
h  county  Judges,  how  comes  ,t  that  the  Governor  nominated  ^L^u;,  &c  "  Has 
not  the  Uovernor  complied  with  the  members'  wishes  in  this  respect  ? "  ' 

P  in  k  Washington,  Feb.  19.— Addressed  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.   N   Y 

" ' ■  Mi  dear  Sir-You  must  either  work  for  Ju^grs'ffeant  or  yourself 
.f  you  do  not  wish  Tallmadge  to  get  the  offi     of  D.^A.  [tistrict  a2W]  ' 

for  hL  ^  Cart-Horse  in  the  matter,  and  things  are  working  weU 

fth'J'f.il?^*^"^',""!^  y'^^?^^  *°  ^""^^^  ^-'^  '''^'""^  °^«'  y°"rs.  ort  account  of  his 
(the  Judge's)  peculiarly  unpleasant  situation  in  a  pecuniary  point  of  virnu 

Do  help  the  Judge.     The  decision  of  the  matter  is  to  be  left  to  the  N.'  Y.  Mem- 

SeTSSadr''"'^^'"^'-.'!:'^'^'^"^  f  pretty  much  to  a  man  co^. 
raitteato  lallmadge.  Great  haste,  sincerely  yours,  H.  B." 

t  [Harriet  Butler.] 


140 


MRS.  HARRIET  BUTLER  AND  JOHN  W.  EDMONDS. 


Endorsed  by  Hoyt,"H.  Butler,  Feb. 24lh,  1834." 
New  York." 


Addressed  "  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq,, 


Washington,  Feb.  24th,  1834. 

My  Dear  Sir — I  can  only  say  in  relation  to  the  (ithce  which  was  the  subject  of 
a  former  letter,  that  you  have  become  a  candidate  too  late  in  the  day  for  any  hopes 
of  succuss. 

If  Tullmadge  nnd  Sutherland  are  set  aside,  as  it  is  very  likely  they  will  be,  if  tiie 
matter  is  referred  to  the  Delegation,  1  think  Mr.  Edmomis  wtllswrted. 

So  far  as  PAUPERISM*  is  a  qvalijicalion  and  re<ommrndatiim  to  the  favor  of 
parti/,  surely  you  will  give  in  to  I'HE  LAST  NAMED  PERSON. 

But  it  is  a  pity,  if  you  really  want  the  office,  that  you  did  not  say  so  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  session.  You  may  as  well,  however,  write  to  Cambreleng,  who 
I  hear  is  committed  for  you,  and  he  will  be  able  to  tell  you  all  the  difficulties  about 
the  affair. 

PRICE,  it  is  thought  by  Mr.  B.  [Butler],  will  be  the  person  the  delegation  will 
unite  upon,  if  they  cannot  agree  not  to  disagree  upon  either  of  the  first  named  per- 
sons— but  I  am  of  opinion  Edmonds  will  be  the  man. 

/  am  happy  that  you  can  talk  so  cheerfully  of  your  misfortunes.  I  hope  that  you 
will  yet  see  brighter  days  though. 

I  perceive  by  one  of  your  letters  you  are  getting  to  be  quite  an  old  man. 

Mr.  Butler  still  continues  strong  in  the  faith,  (Jacksonism)  and  thinks  that  all 
the  political  troubles  of  the  day  are  necessary  to  the  purification  ^>i'  the  body  poli- 
tick. That  lessons  of  wisdom  will  be  learned  now,  (and  learned  by  heart),  tint 
will  do  men  good. 

tHere  four  lines  of  the  lady's  MS.  are  carefully  erased  !    She  adds—] 
)on't  be  curious  to  know  the   above — it  only  showed  a  little  of  the  old  leaven  of 
Federalism,  which  my  admission  to  the  Cabinet  cannot,  or  has  not  yet,  covered. 
The  mail  will  close,  and  I  must  haste — 

Sincerely  yours,  II.  B. 

Mr.  J.  Hoyt.  [Harriet  Butler.] 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Mr.  Butler^ 3  revenues  as  U.  S.  Attorney.  Why  is  he  again  in  office?  Enormow 
law  fees  extorted.  '' Belts' s  foraging  ground."  Wise  on  Defaulters.  Sarml 
R.  Belts.  He  eocplains  the  Svii-Treasury  Law  m  Hoyfs  case ! !  The  Belts  fam- 
ily. $18,000  a  year  for  one  clerkship!!  Theron  Rudd.  Cruel  persecution  oj 
La  Chaise  <5f  Co.  Bribed  and  perjured  witnesses  sent  to  testify ! !  Butler  persiiadd 
to  take '^  half  fees."  Picture  of  a  Religious  Hypocrite.  Legal  Bobbeiy.  Birckrd 
and  Hoyt  combine  to  discard  the  merchants  of  N.  Y.  from  juries,  as  not  trusi- 
worthy !  Hoyt  extorts  $  85,000  of  blood  money  from  foreign  houses.  The  Con- 
vention. 

In  the  course  of  28  months,t  Mr.  Butler  realized,  as  District  Attorney,  from' the 
government  alone,  $62,690,  besides  enormous  and  unlawful  [yes  wn/aw/w/j  fees 

*  John  W.  Edmonds's  name  as  a  political  manager  is  familiar  to  our  readers.  That  quality,  with  hi) 
connections  with  Van  Buren  and  their  old  associates,  and  the  uses  he  may  be  put  to  as  a  political  character 
in  a  wider  and  more  influential  circle,  may  have  decided  Governor  Wrieht  to  elevate  the  dealer  in  stocks 
and  shares,  law  and  politics,  Warren  street,  N.  Y.,  to  the  bench.  He  believes  in  Morris's  unwritten  1,™- 
warned  Glentworth  to  go  away,  and  gave  up  to  him  the  very  paper-s  he  afterwards  justified  Morris  for 
hunting  after  at  midnight.  '  The  end  justified  the  means.'  In  Nov.  1631  he  was  elected  for  the  3d  district 
to  the  Senate  of  N.  Y.  ;  followed  Silas  Wright  to  gel  hold  of  the  deposites  in  1H34 ;  is  said  to  t)e  pious; 
can  keep  his  olfice,  worth,  I  hear,  86000  or  more,  till  three  score  ;  wears  tiie  anti  slavery  face  of  Van  Burcn 
politics ;  has  done  a  deal  of  party  work  in  his  lime  :  was  inspector  of  Sing  Sing  prison  when  lie  got  Judce 
Kent's  place;  and  is  lauded  in  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Post  for  his  'zeal,  efliciency,  enliglitened  and  l)enevo. 
lent  views.'    When  we  get  to  the  close  of  Mrs.  Bodine's  case  I  will  have  more  to  say,  in  a  future  edition. 

t  Nothing  can  be  more  erroneous  than  that  men  of  humble  origin  are  more  friendly  to  the  class  among 
whom  they  were  reared  than  the  dwellers  in  palaces  and  among  the  opulent  of  the  land.  "The  beegaron 
horse  back"  is  often  found  in  America.  Look  at  JelTcrson  and  Lafayette— reared  in  wealth— then  comjare  their 
conduct  with  that  of  M.  Van  Buren  and  B.  F.  Butler,  who  becan  life  selling  spirituous  iiqums  in  lavems, 
and  J.  Hoyt,  an  insolvent  store  keeper.  The  latter  sneers  at  merchants  foreign  born,  and  talks  of  his  ■  long 
line  of  ancestors."  In  his  friends  Noah  and  Fliillips's  National  Advocate,  of  Dec!  iel3,  and  in  the  li'iij 
Island  papers,  he  will  find  Jesse  Hoyt  of  Stamford  in  Connecticut,  advertised,  with  others,  by  bis  Captain  aa  a 
deserter  from  the  United  Slates  Army.  Perhaps  this  namesake  was  of  no  kin  to  him— perhajw  a  near  rela- 
tive. What  matters  it  ?  I  state  the  fact  in  condenmation  of  his  insulting  conUuci  to  classes  «f  men.  It'' 
^ruel  tg  denounce  bad  and  good  logotber,  of  any  race  or  bod;  of  men. 


ney,"  as  a  co 


ce  ?    Enormovs 


s,  as  not  trust- 
ses.     The  Con- 


butler's  law  extortions— wise  on  van  buren.  141 

from  defendants,  wh..i    his  jackall  Hoyt  had  pounced  upon,  and  the  profits  of  his 
pnvate  practice      This  was  better  than  Sandy  H.ll  aJd  the  W.  and  W    lank 
under  Jacob  Barker.     Mr.  Butler  is  apain  District  Att«rney-and  n  irbeheved 

h;t.  tl.o  monstrous  and  iniquitous  (even  where  legal)  fees  and  gams  he  lot 
lormer  ly  are  ;.ja/.,W/y  curtailed  by  act  of  Congress.  I  know  that  rt  h^'so  f?e 
will  not  be  so  barekced  lu  us  exactions  now  as  he  was  in  Hoyt's  time-  ut  his 
mom,  IS  enormous,  and  unbecoming  the  style  of  a  frugal  republic.  No  Co  less 
could  possibly  have  intended  to  erect  such  a  torturing,  harrassing,  grinding  iZS 

ion  as  the  U    b.  Courts  here  are  snown  to  be  in  the  session  papers  of  Co  Tess 
Messrs.  Iloyt  and  Butler  were  old  comrades-when  in  power  tlLy\.ndorlod  each 
other-and  if  they  did  not  pluck  the  public  goose,  it  never  will  be  plucked  by  man 

xTo  '^  27,'h  fv'n-  ^  'f^^  ''"^  \^-  ^^""'■"■««i«"ers'  reports  and  tesLny" 
U  J'n^  Congress,  2d  Session,  H.  of  R.  [Executive,]  containing  the  histS 
of  Hoyt,  Butler  and  the  N.  Y.  Custom  House,  printed  by  the  nation  May  S7 
How  President  Polk,  with  the  facts  there  stated,  all  iu  array  befor^  1  ^m '  could 
replace  Mr.  Butler  where  he  now  is,  passes  my  understanding.  I  wish  I  cou  d 
spare  the  means  to  spread,  gratis,  through  the  whole  Union,  the  evidences  of 
SSn  Ty.  '^"  ^"^"'^'  "''"'■'"'=^'  ^^''•-th-keeping  District  Attorney  of 
In  one  case,  the  Schooner  Catharine,  the  U.  S.  Marshal,  at  New  York,  took 

Fll  *  P       m'"',!^","^*1  '^^  P™*'™^^  "^'^^  «^1«  ^ere  onl^  $3000-in  another 
Llloi&Co.    Mr.  Butler  brought  40  suits  wrong,  stopt  them-got  $2395  as  his 

frpr;!'"'.'""?'!:'"''"^"'"^*  ^'^^'^  («ame  case)-exacted  ofher  $1142  cos  s 
-issued  (by  his  order)  execution,  and  there  were  no  goods  to  take.  Butler  knew 
ere  ^vas  little  prospect  of  collecting  the  debt  "  when  he  piled  up  these  costs 
^Strange  and  .mpalpable  to  common  honesty  as  it  would  seemf  COUNSEL 
JhE  i)E7FNnATT^'' ^  $500  were  demanded  AND  EXTORTED  FROM 
IHL  1JE1<ENDANTS  m  such  suits,  byB.  F.  Butler,  while  U.  S.  District  Attor- 
2.  -  M  ,'  'r^tT  *°  '  ««"1^'"«"\/''-  the  government,  or  a  stay  of  egat  pro- 
A  ^he  Congress  Report  adds,  that  the  court  was  styled ''  Betts's  fora- 

JSKSLftLtvSr^  ^^"""'  "-'-'^  '^'^^^  ™^^^--  •-^^  -  -St 

Shortly  after  the  accession  of  the  German,  George  I,  as  king  of  England   his 
favorite  cook  sought  his  royal  permission  to  return  to  Hanover,  and  asSgSed  ^  h  s 
eason  he  profligate  waste  of  all  articles  of  food  in  the   king's  kiS   so  ve  v 
different  from  German  frugality.     "Never  mind,"  said  his  majestyr"  do   voj 
steal  hke   he  rest-my  present  revenues  and  good  people  can  sta.  d  the  expense  " 
-and  added   with  a  hearty  langh,  "  be  sure  to  take  enough."     Our  DufeT  ex- 
ri  Th  'oiJh'  ''  ""''  cooks,  Hoyt,  Butler,  and  the  Betts^family,  SLms  to  have 
3  S'e  telo  take  :Zgh  m- "  "*  "^^'"^  "^^^'^-"  ^"  ^^^  ^^^^  '^^'^  '^^  -«t. 
Samuel  R  Betts  of  Sullivan  Co.,  N.  Y.,  was,  with  Wm.  M.  Price  and  others 
Emitted  a  Counsellor  at  Law,  in  Albany,  August  1812.     Judge  Yates  nomimted 
mi  as  a  Supreme  Court  Judge  in   1823,  but  the  Regency  m  Senate  dZTed 
peing  however,  same  year,  to  make  him  a  circuit  judie.     Finally,  he  rcceeded 
'  ^'J;  Van  Ness  as  U    S.  District  Judge  in  N.  Y.    'Thf  evidence  m  the  Govern- 
ment Coinmissiouers'  Report  showed,  that  Mr.  Hoyt  had  put  into  his  pocket  the 
exe  ss  of  cash  balances,  and  refused  to  pay  the  money  to  the  U.  S.,  as  required  by 
thekw  of  July  4,  1840.     The  Solicitor  of  the  Treasury  advised  a  criminalprose^ 

With  'v  ;■'  f  a 'plm'remov^''Zrom'.'i  7"  wTv  Jf  "T"  "'^^^^""^  ?"d  crime,  to  ihts^Extuii;! 
money  liv  nn  nffiLrTr..,.  .        "'"'^^  '    Why  pass  lawa  to  enact  that  tlie  application  of  nublic 

c^y;  ^&g'iSr;it'^- >;^  s^z^i^t  &^:;^.?^  ^i^-i^S^ 

«Ta  !«;;  the  wor't  if  ?4dirart^',?intlrJH't'A'jH""''"*'''''  io  government,  Wm.  Penn,"  thal'the  b;st;y.iem 
ri;hisou3lv  a?h»^nfJ;iL  iiy  '»o'"i"'siered  by  bad  men ;  and  tliat  tlie  worst  system  will  be  as  the  best  if 
lel'trustKd  servTnts  "  ^      '"'"•    ^  "^"^''  ''^""'"  ''  ^''"  '^  wanted-a^general  turn-out  of  all  failh- 

wteeta°j;aU'KdT«^^^^^^^^    ""'^""^''  '^'  '■"'"'"  """^  ""J"'*  of  Martin  Van  Buren  and 


142 


JUDGE  BETTS  AND  HIS  HAPPY  FAMILY — THERON  RUDD. 


cution — Crittenden,  Attorney  CJenoral,  and  Ewinfi:,  See.  Treas.,  considered  Hoyi 
liable  to  a  criminal  indictment — Judges  IJetts  and  Thompson  when  applied  to  for  a 
vviirrant  to  arrest  Hoyt,  were  of  opinion  that  ho  was  not  liable,  although  he  had 
kept  back,  had  not  ent«red,  but  had  refused  to  pay  over  public  money.  The  law 
said  tb;it  diif  miters  were  to  be  sent  to  jail— the  judges  replied  that  it  did  not  mean 
it.  Tiu)  Sub-Treasury  law  was  then  a  more  niockery — a  trick,  to  be  reproduneii 
next  election,  with  nmo  musk,  if  the  pets  blow  up  again,  lloyt's  decision,  with 
Van  Huron's  consent,  to  take  cheeks  en  banks,  and  call  tlio  bank  notes  specie 
which  was  constantly  acted  on,  show  that  hypocrisy  was  always  uppermost  there 
also. 

Mr.  Hetts  was  a  keen,  sharp,  money-loving  sort  of  person,  and  the  government 
commissioners,  from  the  manner  in  which  he  filled  up  the  offices  in  his  court, 
making  it  a  sort  of  family  concern,  became  suspicious  that  the  law  of  Congress! 
limiting  fees  and  salaries,  was  evaded.  Tliey  accordingly  required  from  the  officers 
of  ins  court  answers  on  oath  as  to  fees,  salaries,  &c.,  and  inciuired  what  was  their 
relationship  to  the  Judge,  which  last  question  appears  to  have  put  his  honor  very 
much  out  of  temper.  In  John  Harris's  testimony  (Doc't.  212  p.  405)  he  state's 
th;it  the  clerks  of  the  U.  S.  district  and  circuit  courts,  in  New  York  particularly, 
had  annually  exacted  enormous  fees.  Jui/ire  Betlx's  brulher  was  clerk  of  both' 
and  he  admitted  that  he  had  taken  in  cash  if  18,000  a  year,  for  his  clerkship  for 
one  court  only.  How  much  he  got  out  of  liie  other  court  is  not  stated — but,  in  dut 
time  ho  resigned,  and  Judge  Betts  next  appointed  Ins  son,  then  under  age.  Even  a 
leech  will  leave  ofl" sucking  human  blood  when  it  is  full. 

"  The  judge  might  not  be  interested  in  the  fees  before  ;  but  is  he  not,  now 
(1812)  that  his  son  is.  ..ppoinled,  interested  in  the  fees?  And  if  he  be,  is  he  not  in- 
terested in  forfeiting  goods  ?  For,  if  there  were  no  forfeitures,  the  trials  would 
cease,  and  there  would  be  no  fees?  " 

Collector  Hoyt  informed  the  law  officer  of  the  Treasury  Department,  officially, 
[p.  13,  doc.  218]  "that  he  had  no  confidence  in  judicial  adjustments,  and  consid- 
ered it  a  hopeless  task  to  get  verdicts  from  Judge  Betts  and  Mr  Waddell's  ju- 
ries " — he  therefore  preferred  a  compromise.  To  the  government  com'rs.  he  ap- 
peared to  be  the  greatcontrolling  power  in  Betts's  courts— though  he,  Hoyt,  writes 
of  him  thus  [p.  20.]  "  Mr.  Fleming  informs  me  that  he  only  heard  of  the  sei- 
zures by  accident,  and  he  knew  nothing  of  them  till  the  returns  came  from  the 
clerk  of  the  court,  into  whose  hands  the  -jhd^e  of  the  Court  [Betts]  is  prone  to  k 
careful  to  have  the  money  paid,  so  that  his  brotlier  (the  clerk)  ivould  get  his  fees  and 
commissions." 

Theron  Rudd  was  clerk  of  this  court  many  years  ago — got  '  his  fees  and  com- 
missions,' and  took  care  to  secure,  as  his  own  share  of  the  people's  money, 
$  120,000,  entrusted  to  his  care,  which  he  buttoned  close  up  in  his  breeches 
pocket,  and  kept  it  too.  Theron  was  a  delegate  '  for  Mr.  Van  Buren's  cause,'  as 
Bennett  would  say,  up  at  Herkimer,  long  after  that.  These  great  defaulters  are 
all  great  friends  of  Mr.  Buren,  who  thinks  that  Morris's  never  written  laws  don't 
y>plY  to  their  cases.  Their  sympathies  and  Mr.  V.  B's  seem  to  run  all  one  way. 
Theron,  Butler,  Price,  and  the  Bettses,  judge,  son  and  brother,  have  made  a  great 
deal  of  money  out  of  U.  S.  Courts  in  their  time. 

In  1839,  a  bale  of  goods  was  seized— Samuel  Bradbury  claimed  it.  After  two 
years  of  a  law  journey  thro'  Mr.  Betts's  court,  it  was  sold  in  1841,  and  its  con- 
tents (cassimeres)  brought  $321.  Butler  (Attorney)  produced  his  bill  of  costs, 
$225— Betts's  clp'ks  theirs,  $81— the  Marshal  his,  $83.  The  proceeds  were 
swallowed  up  by  th  )  democratic  law-dispensers,  and  the  collector  paid  them  ether 
$68  to  square  their  accounts  !  Hoyt  and  Butler's  zeal  for  "  compromises  "  did 
not  diminish  after  the  election  of  Harrison.* 


*  Mr.  Rennet,  wlien  ctiainnan  of  a  committee  in  llie  British  parliament,  made  a  report  on  certain 
tiou^  and  cruelties  practised  m  a  jail  in  London.    Jones  tlie  jailer  Wiis  examinetl,  who  testified  thai  1,=  . 
only  a  (lepnty— the  real  jailer  lieiiis;  a  son  of  the  Lord  Chief  Justice,  and  then  abroad— with  whose  father 
snarei  the  immense  prohts  of  his  prison  house,  per  agreement.    '  he  story  produced  an  epigram,  not  ini 


extor- 
heras 


plicable  to  our  Bells.    Here  it  is- 


Whon  Endand's  chief  jailer  \v.is  c-iUnd  to  account, 

And  compelled  of  hia  profits  to  state  the  amount, 

The  committee  observed  that  the  sum  was  too  large 

For  one,  who  had  merely  of  pris'ners  the  charge. 

"  The  sum !"  exclaimed  Jonee.  "  why  the  Chief  Judge's  eon, 

A  lad,  who  abroad  on  his  travels  is  gone, 


VICTH^I.S  QF  HOYT  AND  BUTLER's  AVARICE. 


143 


The  case  of  La  Chaise,  Fouche  &  Co.  ie  U.ub  reported  by  the  Com'rs  to  the 
Premdent.-"  I  he  means  resorted  to  by  Hoyt  to  obtL  mon./from  these  foreign- 
ers, are  m.surpassed  w.  enormity  and  official  perfidy  by  any  act  during  his  cont  nS- 
ance  in  olhce.  It  soems  to  have  been  the  policy  of  ihe^oliector,  wheS  he  dSncd 
mmke  seizures  with  a  view  to  compromises,  to  select  foreign  houses,  with  whom 
there  would,  in  all  probability,  by  less  sympathy  in  ihe  community,  ^nT  a  2™ 

r„Sntore"'''"'l'rjhtir7r"''  ''^  ""  r  h'^-^-^^'  ^-«  /tlemSted  on  «„ 
Aintrican  nouse.       J.d  Chaise  &  Co.  were  Frenchmen,  ignorant  of  our  laws  and 

language,  of  good  standing  and  nrosecuted  a  successfu   busine  s  i .  New  yT.rk  m 

or  ins  aim  iiutler  s  system— Campbell  and  Davis  were  put  in  requisition.  Of  tho 
k,rmer  1  have  spokea-Dav.s  was  equally  vile  and  infamous.  Of  Campbell  Hon 
.rites  to  bidney  Bartlett,  Boston-"  By  a  perusal  of  the  testimony  oVth;  tr?a 

ere,  you  will  readily  perceive  that  he  is  ready  to  make  any  statement  to  serve 
toelt,  tvuhout  reference  to  ihe  truth  of  the  case.'^  I„  reading  of  Iloyt  and  Bug- 
ler conduct  in  office,  I  have  been  irresistibly  drawn  to  connect  them  in  my  mind 
will,  the  infamous  creatures  ,n  Ireland,  who  kept  -the  battalion  of  test  mo^y  "al- 
«.]j  in  readiness  to  swear  away  the  lives  of  the  men  who  had  risen  for  freedom  in 

La  Chaise  and  Fouche  became  the  victim  of  Hoyt's  avarice— the  charges  airainst 

ese  $40,000  worth  were  free  of  duty-the  rest  were  dutiable  and  paid,  exceo 
their  last  received  goods,  for  which  the  collector  had  their  bonds  to  penn     an  ef 

nS"l838'Sovfse„rr   '""  ■r''''  '"^  aPP-iseme,.tTn  The'^Sc'sto" 
la  April,  1838,  Hoyt  sent  his  myrmidons  to  seize  every  thing  in  their  store   paid 
or  unpaid,  free  or  dutiable,  and  at  the  same  time  he  seized  the  five  cases  in  S  Swn 
custody,  not  waiting  for  an  appraisement.   Mr.  La  Chaise  was  arrested  oi  a  diarge 

f  perjiny,  next-the  wretches  Campbell  and  Davis  swore  thatThe  House  hfd 
bnbed  them-three  iijdictments  were  prepared-the  grand  jury  found  the  bflls  on 
C  &  Da  evidence.    The  marshal  kept  the  goods  a  year,  beli SStrTct  at  or'ne? 

led  mformations,  and  the  case  was  kept  from  trial  Ull  these  unfortunate  fbSers 
were  forced  to  accept  Hoyt's  terms  f.3r  a  compromise,  or  sustain  a  total  foss  olTei! 

operty,  Hoyt  wrote  to  Coe,  at  same  time,  that  he  well  knew  he  could  neithe  gel 
them  convicted  on  the  civil  or  the  criminal  suits,  and  he  gives  this  as  are^wTdd 
mpromse   n    He  knew  he  could  not  recover  in  an  American  co^r?  Jne  cent  he 

ereforo  advised  with  Butler,  Coe,  &c.  and  ollered  to  take  $45,o5o,  a"  d  the  law 
fee  .and  comproniise  the  whole,  perjury  cases  and  all !  $  2,500  were  the  costs- 
andHoyt  and  But  er  compounded  the  felonies,  us  they  affirmed  they  were  for  a  p7 
umary  consideration  ! !  dampbell  and  Davis  had  no  hesitancy  in  swearYng  a"  H^yt 
quired  before  the  grand  jury,  to  ruin  these  innocent  merchants,  but  thefdursTno 
come  openly  before  their  countrymen  with  the  same  tale-the  pa  ns  and  p^enalttea  of 

5raVthefns,a'r"/  V'  'T'  ^f/'^^r^^  ^^ey  had  undert'aken  to  LT  ^con- 
hi   .',in  '^f '"f^^'«=«  «*  the  degraded  and  unprincipled  Hoyt,  they  shrunk  from  the 

fe  ."''"'  I  'u?"'''  "^"Z-  22'  ^^^^>  »^y«  "  No  suit  was  brought  for  unpaid 
Jit,  s  and  no  probable  ground  of  recovery  in  any  such  suit  could  be  discovered  ' ' 
H  adds,  that  It  was  suspected  they  had  frequently  entered  goods  too  low-and 
oner'  XTn^t'^r  ""  ^^°^'  g-u"ds  of  this  persecution^  What  if  they  had 
h! ,t!  P  A^^  "°i  o®  ''^*""  umpires  who  had  passed  upon  their  goods  chosen 
&«v  hTif"*  "^^  !'"^'','  ""''^  I*"^'^'  '">  PJ'-^'^e  a  higher  valuation  on  the  lamS 
LL^     '^°T'^'^^'"l   $C,aG0  was  taken  from^he6a  merchants  for  dut^s 

bSselhev^lidl^f  "f  1^"-  *  ^'f  ^  °1,P«"^'  ''°"^»  P'^*«"d«^  '°  have  been  forfS 
Because  they  did  not  deliver  to  the  collector  some  part  of  the  very  goods  he  had 

rZrrr^"/"  impossibility,  one  of  Butle's  items  of  cost^s las  $500  a^ 
^r^an^f^rriV'!.*^"''  review  of  Butler's  report,  the  U.  S.  Commissioners 
caint     an  appeal  to  the  government  for  its  approbation,"  because  of  the  "  pecu- 

Is  the  jailer  in  fact,  by  his  father  eelecte<l ; 

And  to  him  I  account  for  whatever'a  collected  ■ 

But  the  son  being  yet  but  an  infant  in  law, 

rhe  Noble  Lnn!  ta!,-rr;  v.!,;,t  the  !s;tef  Wt.uid  dr,in-." 

i^'V"?" "  nf  Eadand  !  wliat  ills  can  assail  her  ? 

While  the  father's  Chief  Judse,  the  son  i3  Chief  Jailer' 

His  zeal  yet  a  step  would  the  Noble  Peer  stretch 

l*t  hira  lalie  his  next  heir,  and  malte  him  Jack  Ketch. 


144 


butler's  true  character  displayed. 


niary  amn,  obtained  by  dupUcity  and  management,  out  of  court,  which  could  not 
have  been  recovered  in  a  lair  and  im|iarlial  Iriiil." 

DcBides  boinjjr  Crufhtcned  out  of  $47,500,  llie  unfortunate  Frenchmen  had  their 
trade  stopt,  and  their  goods  under  h)clc  and  Itey  for  ov(;r  twelve  montlis.  The 
Bccommiiditing  Mr.  Woodbury  a|)proved  of  Uuiler  and  Hoyt's  course,  and,  say  the 
Commissioners,  it  m  aHserted  lliat  .Iiidj^e  Heits  took  the  name  view,  on  the  apph. 
cation  of  Uutler  for  hia  sanction.  /  would  not  at  all  doubt  tt.  Yet  it  is  rather  hard 
to  the  foreigner  to  exact  penalties  where  the  exactor,  like  the  law,adnnts  innocence 
or  thu  absence  of  proof  of  guilt.  Hleecker,  Hoyt's  assistant  casiiier,  when  the 
$».1,00((  wortii  of  entries  disappeared  from  the  cahhier's  and  naval  oflices,  was  the 
informer  against  La  Chaise,  but  he  never  brought  him  forward.  Mr.  Curtis 
speedily  turned  iiim  adrift. 

We  have  seen  Mr.  Uutler  playing  the  banker  at  Sandy  Hill,  the  lawyer  at  Al- 
bany, the  p«ditician  at  Washiiiaton,  and  the  speculator  everywhere.  The  disinter- 
ested and  pious  law-partner  of '  the  magician,'  is  now  at  New  York.  In  his  speech 
at  New  Brunswick,  Hth  Oct.  1840,  he  says,  that  Mr.  Van  Uuren  told  Mr.  Forsyth 
to  tell  him  that  if  he  did  not  like  the  otfiee  of  1).  A.,  it  was  hoped  he  would  lake  it 
in  consideration  of  the  great  public  interests  at  that  moment  at  stake  in  New  Y(irk. 
On  till)  lath  of  Dec.  1838,  he  took  olfice,  and  Mr.  Iloyt  wrote  to  the  Ssolicilorof 
the  Treasury,  same  day — "  I  am  amused  with  Mr.  Butler- -he  is  so  terrified  at  ik> 
iniipiily  of  the  age,  that  he  has  made  up  his  mind  not  to  receive  a  dollar  ot  the  pub- 
lic money,  but  he  intends  to  make  me  receive  all ;  and  1  am  quite  aj>prehinsive  Ikt 
he  will  not  even  receive  his  own  costs.  I  am  sure  he  will  not  receive  half  as  much  as 
ho  will  be  entitled  to.  I  shall  lecture  him  on  this  subject."  Mr.  lloyt  knew  his 
man  better  than  this.  Independent  of  his  private  law  business,  opinions,  advices, 
&c.  &c.,  Mr.  Butler  took  from  the  11.  S.  alone,  in  1830,  $  18,235— in  IHO, 
$3'2,210 — and  resolving  to  have  a  grand  haul  out  of  compromises,  settlements, 
"  Yorkshireinen,"  and  Frenchmen,  tbo  worthy  descendant  of  the  Connecticut 
scythe-maker,  and  of  Oliver  Cromwell  (!  !)  condescended  to  receive  for  his  legal 
labors  during  the  first  quarter  of  1841,  only  in?  $  12,244.  No  doubt  ho  would  have 
taken  more,  but  for  "  the  iniquity  of  the  ago." 

In  Butler's  Memoirs,  Democratic  Heview,  Jan.  1839,  we  are  told  that  "Mr, 
Butler  has  been,  since  the  year  1817,  a  professing  and  zealous  member  of  tlie  Pres- 
Dylerian  church."  Why  not  put  the  profession  into  practice?  Only  two  years  afiw 
he  joined  the  church,  he  wrote  to  Jacob  Barker  from  the  Bank — "  I  told  him  [Gil- 
christ,] I  was  ready  to  pail  in  specie,  hnX  commenceil  paying  Wiswall,"  &c.  Ills 
letter  was  written  on  Wednesday  morning — it  admits  that  he  had  but  $1,400  in 
cpecie,  to  serve  all  vomers  till  Saturday  morning,  and  that  Wiswall  had  prcsenled 
$  4,800,  and  Gilchrist  $  5,300  of  the  notes  of  the  Bank  for  payment.  Did  not  Mr, 
Butler  tell  an  untruth  here  !  Gilchrist,  he  adds,  did  not  wait.  And  why?  Because 
he  saw  that  Mr.  B.  had  resolved  not  to  jiay  him.  In  the  Democratic  Review,  Mr. 
Butler's  biographer  assures  us,  that  "  before  he  left  the  bank,  by  great  exertions 
and  care,  its  credit  was  restored,  and  specie  payments  resumed."  Not  one  wcni 
ofthisistrue — yet  our  zealous  professor,  though  a  known  contributor  to  the  Re- 
view, remains  acquiescent  and  silent!  "  He  was,"  says  the  Review,  "from the 
commencement,  one  of  the  most  zealous  advocates"  "  of  the  temperance  reform." 
Is  the  three  hours'  debauch  behind  the  bank  counter,  with  the  Young  Putroon,  the 
zealous  advocate's  practice  ?  If  the  Presbyterian  church  allows  Mr.  B.  longer  to 
remain  in  her  communion,  without  evidence  of  deep  contrition,  she  is  a  fallen  star 
as  compared  to  what  she  was  in  the  honest  old  times  of  Calvin,  Knox,  Rutherford 
and  Renwick — but  we  do  not  desire  to  anticipate  her  course,  with  a  brother  who, 
on  his  own  showing,  has  been  guilty  of  the  crime  of  obtaining  money  upon  false 
pretences." 

Speaking  of  Barker's  conduct  in  the  Washington  and  Warren,  in  1819,  Butler, 
as  his  counsel  on  the  trial  in  1827,  when  he  was  convicted  for  his  frauds  in  I6ii6, 
said,  "  I  know  that  the  most  unparalleled  exertions  were  made  by  him  to  redeem 

his  bills,  and  to  indemnify  the  public If  he  could  have  coined  his  heart's 

blood  into  g(dden  drachms,  not  a  drop  of  it  would  have  been  withheld,  whilst  one 

of  his  notes  remained  unpaid Since  th.pn  he  hns  lahorfd  wjth  lir.tirinj 

assiduity,  and  PROVIDLNtJE  has  smiled  on  his  exertions."     Even  as  a  money- 
changer, and  stock-jobber,  Butler  cannot  help  presenting  his  confederate  to  the 


k   PORTRAIT — butler's   FEES    AND   LAWSUITS. 


145 


Miirt  as  a  Buecossful  jjambler,  whoae  trade  ia  under  the  eapecial  guidance  of 
I0»  Providerire  ! !  ! 

Thn  youihful  aiul  nhscirvant  Pollork,  in  his  "  C^oiirse  of  Time,"  sketches  the 
picture  of  one,  who  at  the  day  of  judjjment  was  sent  below — 

Wherfl  mill  Ills  faco,  fri>m  (iiirlonl  cimlora,  we«n 
A  holy  air,  wlilrh  ■ciyn  t'l  nil  Ihnl  pniM 
Him  by  :  1  was  a  hyiKwrila  on  earlh. 

I  hnstnw  it  on  Mr.  Polk's  friend,  tho  District  Attorney  at  New  York,  with 
injunctions,  that,  at  a  mirror,  or  eisewhcrc,  he  shall  try  to  find  the  original : 

"He  wM  a  man 
Who  Btiilu  thfl  livery  of  ilia  cimrl  of  heaven 
To  aiiivo  iho  ilovil  ;  ill  vlrliie'i)  giiUe 
Pevoiired  the  widow's  house  anil  orphan's  brtad ; 
III  hnly  phrane  truiitacteil  villainies 
That  coimnoii  aiiuier.i  iliiril  not  meddle  with. 
At  siicred  fMiwn  he  R.it  nmon^  the  saints, 
And  with  his  '{iiilty  hand*  touched  hcdiest  thinga; 
And  iionn  of  ijii  liniiMitwl  more,  or  aiijlied 
IMiirc  deeply,  or  with  ifraver  cniinteiiance, 
Or  lonuor  prayer,  wept  o'er  the  dying  man, 
Who^^e  infant  children,  at  the  moment,  ha 
Planned  how  to  roll  ■  in  sermon etyle  he  boufht., 
And  Slid  and  llnd  ;  and  salutations  made 
In  scripture  terms  ;  he  prayed  by  qiianlity, 
And  with  bis  repetitions  long  and  loud, 
All  knees  were  weary  ;  wilhono  hand  he  piil 
A  penny  in  the  urn  of  poverty. 
And  with  tliB  other  tonic  a  ehiiline  out. 
On  charitable  lists— tniii. pets  which  told 
The  public  ear,  who  had  in  secret  done 
Tiie  poor  a  lienefit,  and  half  the  alms 
Thoy  told  of,  took  ihnnisulvoi  to  keep  them  sounding— 
Ho  blazed  his  name,  more  iilBiised  to  nave  it  there 
Tiian  in  tho  Iviok  of  lifu.     Seo'st  thou  the  man) 
A  Hflr|)iint  with  an  aniful's  voice  !  a  eriive 
With  tlownrs  iMstrewud  !  and  yet  few  were  deceived, 
His  virtues  over-done,  his  (ace 
Too  ifrava,  his  prayers  too  Ion?,  his  charities 
Too  pompously  altnndad,  and,  his  speech 
Larded  too  freiiuently,  and  out  of  time 
With  (iorindts  imrasoology,  were  rente 
Tli-it  in  his  garments  ojioned  in  spite  of  him, 
Throinih  which  tho  wollac  mtomed  eye  could  see 
Tlie  mttonnesa  of  Ins  hea,    "* 

In  1839,  Jime  term,  District  Court,  Mr.  Butler  moved  for  judgments  on  Lee. 
Babcock  &  Co.  on  26  bonds— o«l  motion.     He  demanded  for  this,  of  government 
ees,  $1,860.     Same  month,  one  motion  for  judgments  against  Gibson  &  Co    on 
4  bonds-he  .received  $  1,893.     March  mO-one  motion,  for  judgment  against 
liBe  &  Lo.  paid  Butler  fees  (from  public  purse),  $2,514.     Feb.  27,  1841   Bntler 
fi>r,;n^  motion  against  same  firm,  on  46  bonds,  put  in  his  pocket  $3,338  of  fees— 
also  $3,198  for  ,mr;  motion  of  a  liko  kind  in  April,  and  $  1,324,  on  another,  made 
same  day.     In  May  another,  and  took    $  1,276  fees.     On   14  motions  by  him  for 
judgments  on  296  merchants'  bonds,  his  costs  charged  to  the  United  States  •  and 
'io',  n^^°"*°^  ^*»5  taxes  raised  on  sugar,  woollens,  cottons,  coffee,  &c.,  came  to 
ur    u  '        "^^    """''  "f^^^^'^h  the  debtors  ever  paid  back.    The  Treasury  Solicitor 
at  Washington  even  writes  him  to  multiply  suits  for  his  own  emoluuent,  and  for 
the  benefit  of  Belts  s  clerk  and  the  marshal,  by  increasing  costs,  provided  the  debtors 
an  M/uen/— otherwise  to  make  one  suit  serve  on  all  the  bonds  due  by  one  house 
the  unprincipled  character  who  thus  wrote  was  a  Mr.  Matthew  Birchard,  who  wa^ 
P«™i"ed  to  resign  with  Bntler  and  Hoyt,  his  confederates. 
_Mr.  Hoyt  wrote  him,  Feb.  22,  1840,  that  "  hitherto  large  numbers  of  jurors  have 

anJlfinlffi'hi*"'*''.,''"''  thef.llowing  description  of  Charles  I,  into  Milton's  mouth,  not  thinkine  it  mislit 

apply  tolerably  well  to  some  of  the  family  o^ld  Noll  alno,  when  transplanted  to  America  :""""«  '*  ""S"' 

™nr»L  L  1      .  "'^  T,''  ''^  'ji^„Pe"I>le.  i«  it  a  sufficient  defence  that  he  keeps  it  to  his  companions  i    If  h« 

Sle?n  nb  "h'  ""  '^^^^  ''^"  ^^  be  held  blameless  because  he  prayeth  at  night  and  m.^E    if  U  II 


He  wn 

oils 


ni'in  *j  T  tVi 


M.  m,.  V^^V  "T V  ■""■  """  ""•;'';  5"^n'Jisiiu=  u:  viriuKs  as  might  maka  his  vicM  most  i]arur«r. 

BlwaiSj  ^H  T  ii'/hfh'u  ""' ""'  ^''"'«''  ^"'^'"^  '""'^«'-  ^-he  second  Richard,  and  Vhe  wcond  and  fourth 
waSct^w  ^J"^^^  Harry  were  men  profuse,  gay,  boisterous ;  lovere  of  women  and  of  wine  of  no  out- 
Wd »w  dU^, °' f '*'''\5'-  . ^^"^'^  «"" a f"'«r  af^f  'he  Italian  iaahion ;  gra.e,  damu», of «  wlemn  wri^ 
wa  jober  diet ;  w  constant  at  prayers  aa  a  priest,  as  beeOlees  of  oaths  «s  an  atheist."  au■^a«^ 

19 


•   I 


146 


THE  MERCHANTS  PROSCRIBED — FOREIGNERS  PLUNDERED. 


been  taken  from  the  mercantile  classes,  against  which  course  (he  adds)  I  have  re- 
monstrated." Birchard  immediately  wrote  the  Mnrshal,  at  N.  York  to  "  endeavor 
to  select  impartial,  capable  men,  who  are  totally  disconnected  with  trade,  and  all  its 

influences the  whole  nation  knows  that  confidence  may  well  be  placed  in 

the  integrity  and  judgment  of  honest  farmers  and  mechanics." 

Here  we  see  the  Collector,  behind  the  screen,  directing  the  marshal,  through  the 
government  solicitor  to  discard  whole  classes  of  men,  as  jurors,  in  cases  where 
that  Collector  would  derive  a  vast  income  from  a  doeisiou  one  way,  but  not  the 
other.  Was  it  not  the  interest  of  the  old,  intelligent,  enterprising  merchant,  of 
established  character  and  unsullied  fame,  that  real  attempts  to  defraud  the  revenue 
should  be  put  down  ?  Undoubtedly,  for  it  came  in  contact  with  his  interest  as  a 
fair  trader— and  yet  Hoyt  proscribed  him  from  the  jury  box,  doubtless  because  his 
knowledge  and  honor  would  prevent  him  from  stooping  to  oppress  and  injure  otntrs, 
Hoyt  would  punish  rogues,  he  says— but  it  is  evident  he  dared  not  trust  the  up^ 
right  dealer  to  judge  as  to  who  the  rogues  were.  How  such  a  document  as  the 
report  before  me  must  have  excited  the  detestation  and  contempt  of  every  honora- 
ble mind  against  Van  Buren  and  his  mean-souled  cabal ! 

In  page  265,  and  elsewhere,  the  U.  S.  Com'rs  report  to  the  President  and  Con- 
gress,  that  Hoyt  instituted  prosecutions  against  some  eight  or  ten  foreign  houses, 
chiefly  English  importers  of  woollens,  on  the  pretext  that  goods  imported  by  them  in 
Swartwout's  time — in  most  cases  18  months  or  two  years  before  the  date  of  these 
prosecutions,  and  on  which  the  goveaiment  appraisers  had  decided,  as  being  entered 
at  fair  rates— were  undervalued.  He  harrassed  them  in  the  entries  of  their  fall  im- 
portations of  woollens  for  1839— threatened  them  with  the  testimony  of  wretches 
who,  instead  of  being  employed  in  the  Customs  should  have  been  whipt  at  the  cart's 
tail— held  them  to  heavy  bail  on  pretended  extra  chargv.-s  out  of  the  goods  they  had 
entered  and  paid  for  years  before— and  actually  extorted  $85,000  blood  money 
from  them,  besides  fees  to  dear  Mr.  Butler.  Compare  John  Van  Buren  specula- 
ting out  of  Marcy's  message  with  Hoyt  and  Butler  in  the  Custom  House.  They 
are  still  the  same.  The  knaves'  compact  holds  good  to  the  last,  gentlemen— and  if 
this  be  hbel  ye  are  lawyers,  and  make  the  most  of  it.  The  Convention  will  come, 
and,  depend  on  it,  honest  men  and  true  will  be  ripe  for  resurrection  by  the  month 
of  June  1846.  To  suppose  that  knavery  like  yours  could  hold  out  much  longer 
would  be  to  doubt  the  justice  of  Him  who  planted  in  the  mind  of  man  feehngs  of 
love  and  kindness,  one  to  another.     To  return  to  my  narrative : 

Of  this  $85,000  compromise,  the  chairman  of  the  U.  S.  Com'rs  says  in  his 
report :  "  The  motives  of  the  collector  were  mercenary  and  corrupt  in  the  inception 
of  these  proceedings,  and  animated  all  his  acts,  to  the  final  consummation  of  the 
official  robbery  which  he  perpetrated  on  his  victims  in  open  day,  and  with  the  ap- 
probation of  the  government  at  Washington,  to  which  he  ought  to  have  been  held 
responsible  for  conduct  so  disgraceful  to  the  national  character."  Butler  says,  in 
a  letter,  that  Hoyt  "  collected  their  various  entries  and  invoices" — Hoyt,  in  the 
cases  of  Taylor,  Shaw,  &c.,  declares,  "  we  had  not  possession  of  the  original  or 
other  invoices."  We  compromised,  says  Hoyt,  '<  because  we  had  no  evidence  on 
which  to  convict  the  defendants  "—he  even  "boasts  of  having  overreached  and 
entrapped  them  by  pretending  to  know  more  than  he  really  did,  and  to  have  evi- 
dence which  he  had  not." 

Hoyt's  whole  course  shows  a  disposition  to  quarrel  with  and  ill-treat  England, 
with  a  view  probably  to  a  war.  Heaven  protect  our  country  from  war  anywhere 
—and,  worst  of  all,  a  war  where  plausible  peculators,  financiers,  land-jobbers,  and 
pretended  reformers,  with  mantles  of  piety,  would  guide  the  helm  of  state,  and 
share  the  prey  of  the  innocent ! 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 


Hoyt,  Beers,  and  the  N.  A.  Trust  and  Banking  Co.  Its  commencement.  A  grani 
borrowing,  stock-jobbing,  speculating  machine,  on  free-trade  [!!]  principles.  Pre- 
pares bonds  for  $  11,000,000.  Ways  and  Means.  Becomes  Insolvent-deals  m 
Ofttou— Retains  B.  F.  Butler.  Chancery  Reforms.  Jesse  Hoyt  bolsters  the 
Bank,  and  speculates  m  its  stock,  which  begins  at  $95  and  falls  to  $3. 


BEERS,  HOYT  AND  THE  N.  A.  TRUST  CO. 


147 


ball^Mr^Wh  "S™h".  ^"?u  ^r.'^^B^"''*"?  Company  "  is  known  also  as  Beers's 
banic,  Mr.  Joseph*  D  Beers  the  "  financier  "  having  been  its  president  until  the 
cunning  speculators  who  got  it  up  had  pillaged  this  country,  and  Tven  EuroDe     o 

:Cr  t'plS/int  thl"r"T^V  ^"^'"1  ^.??'^^^'^'  -^  I  tWrMrSTen'tly 

ec   1 1  usi^  own  nffl      "^  M^'  ^avid  Leavitt  as  Receiver,  loaded  with 

secret  trusis  made  to  its  own  officers  and  their  assoc  ates.     Mr.  L  ^s  the  ffentlemin 

:  rTcrSS'm'X^^to'of •  --^'--f  harpers  and  shavers  of  WallTeS'S 
wo  vears^  obsPrlnf  nn  ^'^'^^-jobbing  trials  of  1826-7;  and  his  first  report,  after 
M?  Leavht  fmindTn'  P^^^.-^^^^^-^^'^lent  traces  of  his  ancient  intrepidity.^ 
BeVrs's  note  fo^f  26  srTnH^  broken  silver  dollar,  and  no  more,  also  President 
Mid  somP  of  thp  L  '  '  "''  °^*'?  obligations,  a  water  barrel,  a  map  of  Auburn 
^  This  banking  c!m  ="■'  '^""^^^Pl'ite  its  ample  state  prison  ?)  some  coal,  &c. 
thefr  e  trad^lawXh^F'^''  organized  July  14,  1838,  under  a  modification  of 
Ire  monev  CO,  M  J  ,  J^^f '  ^T'  ^^^^P^'  ^''-  ^^  clamored  for,  when  no 
more  money  could  be  made  by  the  Safety  Fund  speculations.     On  June  i.3th  a  nre- 

Fl   Xrrr^j"^  'S'-  ^°"t/"«"  °|?-'^  -d  Charles  Hoyt!  to   D.'stro'ng 
Weed  and  thr'ep'or  fn       .1'^'  ^''^l'  ^-Olcott,  Saml.  Wilkeson  of  Buffalo,  N 
kt  dV    On  thrn.rnf  °T^,'''m  ^^^  ''t'^  "  P«>^f«™er,"  Beers,  did  not  appear 
mat  (lay.     Un  the  13th  of  July,  Messrs.  Beers,  C.  Hoyt,  H.  Yates  J   B   Ma-lav 

ol  thT78t'h'T;enrv  tt'^rrh'  P-P-'y -<!  influencef^ere  named  as  directosll 

ntr  nyMvn'dert  vJn%.h  •^.'"^^^^  ^^'  ^PP°'"t«^  '^^'''  president,  the 

reSent  JohrLlrTmP.  p''*?  ^"^n"  '"""''^  "°*  ''* '"  ^^"^^^  ^"^  Bishop,)  ;ice- 

Watr  Mead  and  DF   ^f '""  ^^f'  P^^t^^^s'^"^'  N.  Y.)  their  man  of  law,  and 

waiter  Mead  and  D.  E.  Tylee,  cashiers.     Then  only  were  subscriptions  for  stock 

pened,  and  between   three  and   four  millions  issued,  of  which  the  (apparentlv 

elf-elected)  directors  kept  more  than  a  third  to  themselves,  as  this,  «dth  a  few  v£ 

from  others,  would  retain  for  them  the  direction  while  it  might  be  desirable      Mr 

Ob  i„     c"?  J'^-'.''^  J^"  '"""'^^  "^'^''  ^^"  Pl^^^-l ;  ^"d  it  wa^  good  policy  to 

n  alerts  oToiukl^'^  ""■'"'",  ^PP^^^ation.     He  declared  his  belief  that  their 

investraer.ts  ot  capital  were  wisely  made. 

Mr.  Graham,  in  his  historical  review,  tells  us  that  the  bank  bought  a  million  of 
Akansas  stock,  of  which  A.  C.  Flagg  had  a  favorable  opinion,  and  was  read;  ?o 
eive  It  at  par  as  good  security  for  circulating  notes.     Mr.  Van  Buren,  too,  liked 
.3  Arkansas  stock   and  sent  the  gold  for  the  $500,000  education  legac^  tl.a  way 

and?  An".  7 f"  ^"^  Pr"''^^'''^  t'^'  ^"  P^^^*^  P'^^^^^ly  ^"'l  forgottef toCt  7h  J; 
S  r?f  I  '°«  P°'".V''''  "^^""^  ^^'^  th«^«  in  Arkansas  stock  to  justify  this 
opinion,  held  by  Beers,  Van  Buren,  Woodbury,  C.  Hoyt  and  Flagg  ^     Another 

uestion-are  we  justified  in  believing  that  such  was  really  their  opini??  ?    $  l"200,- 

Jdom'inl  r-  ""Ta^  '"  In'^'f  n?„«t^te  stock.  Did  oft  repeated  accounts  of  the  folly 
Sr  /"  ^"5'^"''  ^""^  "^'"°'"  ^"^"''^  ^"d  legislation,  and  in  their  canal 
making,  routes  and  management,  induce  purchase  the  second— or  was  there  a 
VI  el  wihm  a  wheel-Anowm^  ones  wanted  Arkansas  and  Indiana  stock  out  of 
meirhands,  and  aiding  in  contriving  this  contrivance  for  the  purpose?  A  simple 
ma  would  think  they  could  have  found  more  judicious  specie  investments,  but  per- 
shnl^T^f.  •^''''Pr^i'^^'  '■"  »•««%.  P=^id  in  such  obligations.  Mr.  Leavitt 
„,7t   If  "^^  d'"'  °^l'i'"^  ''^"^^^  ^'"^  *^^^  """cfi  effect  in  throwing  these  stocks 

to  the  hands  of  Beers,  Graham  &  Co.,  but  that  they  bought  them  o«  credit  on 
speculation,  hoping  to  borrow  money  for  their  own  purposes  by  pledging  or  selling 
hm  again  !  They  paid  them  he  says,  with  their  own  printed  promises  to  pay, 
Mth  interest,  long  after  date  !  They  next,  in  '38,  '39,  and  '40,  issued  negotiable 
cert  ficates  of  deposite,  to  the  amount  of  millions,  purporting  on  their  face  to  be  is- 
sued^by  the  bank,  and  many  of  them  payable  in  London.    Of  these,  a  great  part 

.V*S°Brnk^;''w^1l"„1.''''f  ^""'f "'.  ^^^^'}  '^"P.",''"^  '■'"■  ^'^^  •=""""'  "<■  'Trust  Companies.'    Mr.  R.  H. 
iMm:  '  *'''  '^"'*'  ^°  ^''  •'*'''  ""y'-  "'  ^'»"5'>  '^^^'^  New  York,  14th  Jan'y,  181)1,  as 

ofiiw  p?"^''~'  "'"u^  "■""'•'^  ^""  '"  '"'  '"«  '^"°*^'  Whether  our  BanV«  pj-.v  being  willing  to  lake  renowalg 

/v  mn.  nl/    "  ,","  .'^'  '"■"'?  'f'-''''^'* '"  '*"^'"  ''"I  "''""^■•.  «'i"  all  l^e  able  to  get'then  ?    It  w^  prediaed 
fy  80 me  persona  that  aonie  of  them  mi-ht  not  have  another  chance.  preujueu 

wiHsucceod'in'lpfTr^'^'i  o^■~^°  you  Uiink  that  an  application  from  a  very  respectable  list  of  petitioners 

r»if  h         ^  "  ?-^  a  Charter  similar  to  the  one  granted  at  the  last  session  ?  ^ 

WaUltreei     l"  ^m^wiiffi  /  ^"""^  <'Pi'uo.n  on  the  above,  or  on  any  other  subjects  that  may  have  to  do  with 

TriVco  Siork   wh^^h  Lln'°-  '""  f  n  "'?  Z^  ^°l'  °P'"'°"' '  hold  considerable  Life  and 

™si  to.  Mock,  which  wiU  rise  or  fall  probably  when  the  question  is  settled  about  other  charters. 


148 


WHOLESALE  STOCK-JOBBING — J.  B.  MURRAY. 


were  made  payable  to  Hallett  (clerk  of  the  Superior  Court,)  Graham  (their  attor- 
ney,) Talmage  (now  Mayor  of  Brooklyn,)  and  other  officers  of  their  association. 
They  sold  what  they  could  everywhere,  to  raise  the  wind — and  this  base,  pawn- 
broking  concern  they  had  the  assurance  to  call  a  bank  and  an  American  trust,  with  paid 
up  capital !  I  Beers,  their  guide,  was  the  person  of  whom  Bennett  in  his 
Herald  once  put  out  a  j5u^,  about  his  retiring  in  Sept.  '35,  with  a  fortune  of  a  mil- 
lion of  dollars,  the  proceeds  of  his  industry,  and  so  forth. 

In  the  winter  of  1839-'40,  this  patent  borrowing  machine,  with  a  capital  to  lend, 
found  its  promises  coming  in  for  payment,  its  bought  stocks  declining  in  value,  and 
its  cash  very  low  indeed  ;  and  among  other  schemes  to  keep  afloat  it  sought  the  aid 
of  Martin  Van  Buren,  through  his  commercial  grand  vizier,  Jesse  Hoyt.  At  the 
same  time,  900  bonds  FOR  ELEVEN  MILLIONS  OF  DOLLARS,  in  promises  to 
pay  to  Walter  Mead  the  cashier,  FIVE  YEARS  AFTER  Feb.  1840,  were  signed 
by  Beers,  as  president,  and  while  yet  in  the  company's  hands,  bonds  and  mortgages 
were  executed  from  the  company  to  Graham  and  others  its  associates,  as  a  pretend- 
ed security  for  payment — and  a  million  trust  deed  was  filled  up,  the  third  party 
being  Mr.  Horsley  Palmer  of  the  Bank  of  England,  and  others  in  Europe.  Many 
more  capers  were  cut  with  public  credulity,  but  I  have  not  room  to  notice  them. 
Some  of  their  bonds  they  paid  to  their  creditors  as  cash — they  handed  them  to 
others  as  "  a  collateral  security" — for  instance,  to  T.  E.  Davis  who  had  LENT 
tlicm  his  note  for  $79,000.  To  Col.  James  B.  Murray,*  a  character  much  mixed 
up  with  American  stock-jobbing,  and  a  regular  signer  of  Swartwout's  Custom 
House  recommendations,  they  gave  $30,000,  to  try  to  dispose  of  in  Europe,  for 
his  own  account,  he  having  been  their  great  gun  there  i  In  the  course  of  1840, 
Talmage,  the  Brooklyn  Mayor,  succeeded  Beers  as  president,  and  he  also  signed 
lots  of  trumpery  due-bills,  which  they  called  poBt  notes,  certificates,  bonds,  &c. 

In  May,  1840,  a  State  law  was  passed,  forbidding  such  associations  as  this  from 
issuing  any  of  their  bills  or  notes  unless  payable  on  demand,  and  without  interest. 
This  was  wisely  intended  to  protect  the  public  from  such  wholesale  knavery  ae  I 
have  adverted  to.  In  their  statements  for  the  public  eye,  as  required  by  statute, 
they  had  concealed  much  of  their  trust  conveying,  due-bill  puffing  machinery— and 
found  no  difficulty,  it  seems,  to  persuade  learned  lawyers,  "  for  a  consideration,"  to 
be  of,  and  declare  their,  opinion,  that  the  statute  forbidding  their  post-note  trade 
did  not  intend  to  forbid  it  at  all,  just  as  learned  lawyers  were  found  many  years 
ago,  of  opi.iion,  that  although  th'»  U.  S.  Constitution  expressly  forbids  the  States 
to  issue  promissory  notes,  as  cash,  or  tamper  with  the  currency,  it  did  not  mean  to 
do  that,  by  any  means. 

When  Mr.  Leavitt  was  appointed  Receiver,  he  found  Mr.  Graham  and  others 
managing  this  insolvent  institution,  as  trustees.  The  very  men  through  whose 
management  the  bank  was  broken  down,  yet  stood  by  the  wreck  they  had  caufed, 
and  retained  control  of  its  whole  property  !  Who  ever  heard  of  a  reckless  pilot 
and  engineer  landing  a  North  River  boat  high  and  dry  on  the  rocks,  and  afterwards 
retaining  their  control,  in  spite  of  all  concerned,  "  by  previous  legal  agreement!" 
It  appeared  that  $  9000  a  year  were  charged  for  attending  to  two  of  the  eight 
trusts.  The  Company  had  done  a  little,  and  but  httle,  as  bankers — as  stock-jobbers 
a  great  deal.  They  were  very  needy  or  very  greedy,  for,  they  kept  borrowing,  at 
ruinous  rates,  almost  continually.  I3eers,  and  leeches  like  him,  sucked  the  very 
life's  blood  of  the  institution. 

Postmaster  Graham  and  his  two  law  firms  charged  and  got  about  $44,000  for 
trouble,  besides  fees,  said  to  amount  to  as  much  more. 

The  Company  bought  cotton  for  $640,000  here,  and  sold  it  at  $90,000  loss  in 
England,  and  also  sold  their  promises  to  pay  for  what  they  would  fetch  any  where. 
Of  course,  they  must  have  expected  to  fail.  Mr.  B.  F.  Butler  appears  to  have 
been  the  senior  counsel  of  "  the  trustees."  None  more  fit.  When  they  got  in 
Chancery  Butler  would  feel  quite  at  home  ;  and  if  he  did  not  keep  Leavitt  some 

*  Col.  James  B.  Murray  may  have  been  conscientiously  opposed  to  Madiscirs  measures  in  1812.  Many 
there  were  who  held  Napoleon  to  be  as  regardless  of  neutral  riiihts  as  George  Hrd.  My  fault  to  hiin  is  ilial 
he  was  a  sireculator,  a  dangerous  character  because  a  fashionable,  polite  stock-jobber.  He  was  in  service 
in  1812,  was  m.ule  a  lieutenant-colonel  by  Tompkins  in  1S14,  with  a  very  complimentary  letter,  and 
appointed  i.i  lS16tothe  command  of  the  Governor's  Guard.  IbelLve  he  has  been  an  alderman  of  New 
York.  He  was  sent  to  Albany,  with  Jeromus  Johnson,  Prosper  M.  Wetmore,  John  L.  Graham.  Steph. 
Allen,  Gid.  Lee,  and  others,  on  behalf  of  '  the  party'  in  New  York,  '.o  persuade  Marcy  and  the  Legislature 
in  1S37  to  sanction  the  bankruptcy  of  the  banks,  deposites  and  all— and  shrewdly  selected  as  the  agent  lo 
represent  in  Europe  the  wtabea  of  Beers's  vast  stock-jot)bing  machine. 


account  "  ve 


JESSE  HOYT  UPHOLDS  BEER's  TRUST  CO. 


149 


ut  $44,000  for 


nme  at  bay  there,  and  delay  a  decision  in  due  form  of  law  I  mistake  thp  r. 
Graham,  in  his  statement,  assures  the  public  that  Mess4  Butlpr   S    nA      "'^^"n 
investifration,  "  have  a  perfect  conviction"  ihnt  iV„  i^utler,  &c.,  after  a  full 

throughout.  So  have  l^-^the  'S^^astlton  Jh  Vvr^'"^^  ''T'^  '"  ^'^^^  faUk 
Receiver  consulted  Judge  Sutherland  SaS  S?evel  h"i?'"^  ^/'""'^'f '  ^^^ 
in  sentiment  that  the  trusts  are^l  void  and  uniSl  S^.^hl"'i  ^'v'  ^^'^  .^^^^^ 
a  very  able,  clear  and  convincing  doclent"'  Inrn'"  84f,t:^werrarut  5(^0 
shareholders  in  America,  and  larffe  olaima  in  V„^^r.^      t\J    i  "°"^  °^^ 

divide  profitsi?  A  Committee  in  Nov  Tft4n  Th  ^^\.  « ^''^^  ^^*"'  ^'^^""^  *» 
had  played  the  stockSron  a  We  stl    .7h'^ 

account ''very  complicated ''-L^heT/,S  to  hnl/tW^^^^     '° -^V  ^'^  °^» 
ease  truly!    No  doEbt,  ho.e.^t^pZsm^iZ':^::^^^^^^^^ 
Why  13  not  hi8  opimon  paraded  in  print,  like  the  others  t     ALi^T^       ,^*^^'&*>t- 
believe  that  assignments  madd  by  an  insXent  bnnk    iLo^^      7^°^^  ^^ '^^"y 
advances,  are  lawful?  '        insolvent  bank,  like  this,  to  secure  future 

coI!ire:o'J-/n:i^^i:Vs"Lsf ptid^m'^ff"^^^  z'  I  ^^r'^'  ^'^^^  ^^^^ 

sumption  had  left  of  its  rematnslVei^^^^  '"^'i'"  ^^^^"^  «^«"- 

In  his  appeal  to  the  publS,  EJ  owns  That  ie  enterJd  r/°"''  '"^  ^'^'''  ^«^«'- 

of  scientific  and  practical  men^aTSrh^thpTh  f  f  "^"^,"3^'. '^^e  the  evidence 
Convention  meet.  There  iSelvm^fprbin^T^^^  f°^  dmnbution  before  the 
Blackstone  says)  derived  ''frlfh?imLrkli,dTnXirf^°"°^  "^^^^«  (^« 
by  their  clerical  chancellors.''  If  oSr-E^e?te  introduced 


150 


IMPORTERS    DIFFICULTIES — APPRAISERS. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

Diflindtipx  which  surround  the  vprijuht  merchant  in  New  York.  Tariff's — Congress 
Laws — Enormous  Law  Costs — Protests — Appraisers — Politics — Accotnmodaliuns 
— Men  of  iilraw — Our  Currency — The  Custom  House — Employment  of  mean 
jobbing  politiciavs — Abuse — Smuggling  and  evasions  of  Revenue  Laws — Surveyw's 
Public  Locks — Drawbacks — Foreign  Spices  exported.     Conclusion. 

An  American  merchant,  perhaps  more  especially  an  importer  at  New  York, 
who  deals  in  dntiable.  arlicles,  is  more  to  he  pitied  than  envied.  An  honest,  fair  and 
manly  course  of  dealinff  is  assuredly  not  his  passport  to  independence,  or  a  compe- 
tence, even  with  real  capital,  undoubted  credit,  and  great  experience.  I  will  explain 
why  this  is  so. 

First.  The  tariffs  or  rates  of  taxation  on  importations  are  exceedingly  change- 
able, and  that,  too,  sometimes  very  suddenly. 

Second.  The  laws  of  Congress  imposing  duties  are  often  differently  construed  in 
different  Custom  Houses.  For  instance,  a  Huston  merchant  may  have  imported 
heavily,  and  been  charged  25  per  cent. — the  same  article  brought  by  a  New  York 
tr:u!er  may  have  paid  .50.  13oth  charges  may  have  been  returned  to  the  indolent 
political  financiers  at  Washington,  and  approved  of.  When  the  New  Yorker  finds 
himself  undersold  at  Hoston,  he  enq\iires,  ascertains  the  canse,  complains  at  New 
York  and  Washington — hut  if  he  did  not  enter  a  protest  at  the  time  of  payment 
here — he  loses  the  difterenee.  And  how  could  he  know  that  there  would  be  two 
rates?  Only  a  few  weeks  since.  Collector  Lawrence  issued  a  notice  that  no  duties 
would  be  refunded  unless  the  importer  had  formally  protested  when  he  paid  his 
money,  stating  his  reasons.  In  such  a  case  as  I  have  instanced,  how  could  he  state 
what  he  did  not  know?  And  why  should  tlie  justification  of  an  error  be  persisted 
in,  to  his  injury,  and  his  right  refused  him,  on  a  dishonest,  legal  quibble? 

Third.  But  it  may  bo  said — Go  to  law  with  the  United  States.  Even  Jesse 
Iloyt  admits,  that  if  the  Collector  seize  goods  value  $400,  or  less,  no  matter  how 
unjust  the  seizure  may  be,  it  were  better  for  the  merchant  to  submit  than  suffer 
under  the  enormous  law  costs  and  delays  of  the  United  States'  Courts. 

Fourth.  A  number  of  merchants  import  each  of  them  the  same  kind  of  goods. 
The  Collector  says  the  duty  is  so  much  per  cent.  Some  demur  and  protest — others 
pay  quietly — one  of  tiem  tries  the  case  at  law,  and  the  Collector  is  found  to  be 
wrong.  Those  who  protested  may  get  back  the  duty  overcharged — those  who  did 
not,  are,  by  Butler  and  Lawrence's  rule,  shut  out.  What  could  be  more  iniquitous 
than  such  a  rule  ?  In  this  and  the  second  statement  of  my  series,  I  am  not  ofTering 
hypothetical  cases.  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury  and  Comptrollers,  and  their  subs, 
pop  in  and  out  of  office,  and  Collectors  and  Comptrollers  here,  are  up  and  down, 
like  Jack  in  a  box.     Every  new  man  has  a  new  way  with  him. 

Fifth.  A  set  of  appraisers  are  selected  by  the  President;  and  if  the  United 
States  Senate  find  them  competent,  on  evidence  to  them  satisfactory,  they  go  into 
office,  with  a  little  army  of  clerks  and  assistants  of  all  sorts.  It  is  their  duty  to  say 
whether  the  invoice  and  the  goods  correspond — whether  the  importer  has  rated 
them  too  low,  or  too  high — and  to  fix  the  value.  To  aid  them  in  any  case  that  may 
require  it,  the  most  respectable  referees  may  be  selected,  and  every  possible  means 
taken  to  arrive  at  a  fair  valuation.  What  more  can  an  importer  do  than  pay  the 
rates  deemed  fair  by  umpires  selected  by  the  highest  power  in  the  Union,  the 
treaty  making  p><\ver  ?  Yet  it  is  a  truth — Who  does  not  feel  the  deep  disgrace  of  the 
avowal  I  Most  true  it  is,  that  after  all  this  has  been  done,  immense  quantities  of  | 
goods  have  been  seized  m  tiie  warehouses  of  the  merchants  here,  and  even  followed 
to  Philadeljjhia — the  parties  stopt  from  effecting  sales — their  credit  broken — them- 
selves involved  in  law — and  all  this  to  extort  from  their  necessities  or  their  fears 
more  money  in  taxes  than  the  umpire  of  the  taxing  power  declared  to  be  just.  The 
very  power  that  declares  to  you  in  a  circular  that  no  monies  paid  in  duties  shall  ever  j 
be  refunded,  no  matter  how  wrongfully  paid,  unless  you  protest  against  the  wrong  j 
when  paying — selects  its  umpire,  makes  no  protest,  gives  a  receipt  for  the  duties 
you  have  paid — and  six  months  after,  sends  the  thief-takers  and  its  deputies  to  pull 
(i own  your  goods  off  the  shelves,  on  the  pretext  that  you  have  forfeited  all,  by  not 
paying  more  than  government  asked  ! 


MERCANTILE  DIFFICULTIES  IN  NEW  YORK.  IgJ 

n.ht  opposite,  with  i^-.leBer^^d  tTi  J^^^^^^^^^  B-e  lin. 

demociat  of  our  stamp,"  poes  with  "  thp  nnrtv  ''  of  In  -■  ,®      **  regular 

Hum  now  and  then,  possesses  a  secret  Trtv^o  worth  h,!""''"."?"' ."''"'r^^^^  '""^ 
nr  one  of  that  class.     Prosner  Piotv*  U  in^t,  '^'^v'"?.  and  is  their  busy-body, 

.hat  ho  an,l  his  partner  are  IrthSs  thar^  nothinr!  T'^T  'f-  ^"'"'non.'except 
a  mantle.  Will  not  the  twriatter  be  Se  to  snP^o^lnJ  t'^^*^  '"  'f'^^"""  ^«  ^^'h 
buy,  sell,  enter  goods  low,  aira^tf.al^'  take  t^  br  'd  oT^f  mT-*  ^"^'< 
ihroufTh  enormous  discounts   loans  on  f-ino^  «.Li!i         •,  °^  Manly's  mouth, 

sivfi  appearance,  and  a  false  c  edit  t  Is  hnoffnl'  '""V"  '"'''""''  '"^°'«««'  ^  ^elul 
ihc  deposites  as  they  were  used  in  the  Manhattan  TF  .f  ^  ?,«« r^"'^"  '  ^hink  of 
monies  raised  for  duties  iVom  many m^Ste  and  ZJa"'  "'"'^'•.  ^'''  ""» the 
our  politics  '  to  speculate  w^th  somTnf  thl^  f  handed  over  to  a  favorite  few  '  of 
.eras  Jesse  Hoyt  w    ^h^ L  thrcl.nm  H       T."  °^  "'  ''"''^  '^"^''^  «^  ^harac- 

such  as  ours,  vary  nc  hourlv  and  Pvprt/«,),n,.»  Vi   ?  """^/cliant  than  a  currency 

Bank  notes  redeeLble  in  specie  a'.rStvfSiiii'N  between  United  StateJ 

qualities,  payable,  unless  yorwant  he  Snev  in  ;Jh°'\7-'''  "^  ""  '^'"^^  '^"^ 
legislature  instantly  legali/L  no  payment  at  all '  leavTn]^ '  ' !",".""  "'^  ^  '"""'  ^^e 
specie  of  their  broker  with  their  owrnotes  or  fnnfh^""  ^'  ''''"^y  '"  ^"^  'heir 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  o7corntry'ovJr'-  ssues  IhaU 'hi  '°  7'"  ^i"  *^'''' 
hence  u  may  be,  by  A.  C.  Flagg  our  sagacfous  eomJJroller  '     ^"  ''^''"''^'  y^"" 

anewLTiLlfLrc?art3'!;rrBr'itl';^'^^  ""^«  ^^^"  »>^'^^1^«  »tock  of 
U.  S.  securities  and  invesS  Sem  in  hrlo7r''°"  '^''''"'  °'  ^^"'"^  hold  of 

ad,8sue  the  money-lend  to  whom  they  will  or  refuse  at  nWnr^K  '?^  """"'y 
oiher  banks,  or,  at  pleasure   hirn«<.  ih»rn  tl^,  fu     .  P'^^^fure— be  lenient  to 

Deputy  Collector  Lyon  as^orruptS  tic  r^J"'  ^^"^^  P"''''«he3 

time  to  be  utterly  ignorant-he  sends  DpZvrn!  t^''''  'il^  appraisers  of  his 
merchants,  after  thfs  Campben  had  acknoKL.?'  °' i^"'  ^'''"P''^"  ^o  convict 
hribed  and  periured-jSK  R  SpnS  •  ^  '^  ""  ?*^  ^^'^  "^"  '"'"'^my  as  being 
collector  inKn  informe?  for 'h^  '• ''  •'""^e^ed  from  a  cashier  and  deputf 

credit  with  an  ,  nJe Sund  nf  &e  '  SS' r^Ief^^'^S  'T  ^^'^  °'  ^^^''^^  ^^^^n J 


152 


OUTies,  DRAWBACKS,  kC.      CONCLUSION. 


Ninth.  It  is  often  asserted,  and  I  believe  it,  on  all  the  information  and  expe. 
tiflnce  of  thirty  years'  acquaintance  with  commerce,  that,  taking  the  whole  State 
of  New  York,  an  immense  proportion  of  the  dutiable  articles  pay  no  diity  at  all. 
Among  the  hosts  of  officers  of  one  sort  or  other,  how  few  are  selected  for  their  in- 
telligence and  integrity  ! — some  such  there  are — ^just  and  honorable  men — but  the 
majority  are  street  politicians — and  Mr.  Lawrence,  as  I  have  described  him,  is  tlieit  | 
appropriate  chief.  Are  such  the  men  to  prevent  smuggling — to  protect,  on  out 
frontiers,  and  in  such  a  port  as  this,  the  fair  trader  1 

Tenth,    There  are  a  great  number  of  cellars,  stores,  and  other  places,  for  keeping 
bonded  goods — articles  for  exportation,  or  that  may  be  required  for  domestic  use. 
With  the  keys  in  the  hands  of  street  politicians,  bar  room  orators,  spring  and  fall 
electioneerers,  stock-jobbers,  and  speculators — may  not  genuine  liquors  be  stored,  the 
spirit  exchanged,  and  a  pretended  foreign  article  exported  ?    The  system  in  use,  aa 
I  have  seen  it,  would  tempt  even  brandy  and  gin  dealers  to  collusion.     Sometime] 
since  the  United  States  exported  in  seven  years,  subject  to  drawback  (that  is,  a  re- 
turn of  the  duties,)  a  far  larger  quantity  of  foreign  spices  than  had  been  imported! 
and  paid  duty.     I  say  nothing  of  home  consumption.    Here  was  the  miracle  of  the  I 
loaves  and  fishes,  in  a  new  form — but  were  there  no  wooden  nutmegs  ?    What  room  | 
is  there  for  fair  trade  under  such  a  system  ! 

Eleventh,  and  lastly.     The  merchant  is  not  only  puzzled  by  contradictory  reports  I 
of  cotton  crops  in  Georqria  and  grain  crops  in  England,  and  of  new  tariffs  at  Wash' 
ington,  London,  Paris,  and  Dantzic,  but  he  has  to  study  politics  as  a  science  inor-l 
der  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  form  an  estimate  of  the  value  of  the  blasts  of  ap-l 
preaching  war  which  blow  continually  in  his  ears  from  some  quarter  or  other,  j 
War  for  Texas,  for  Mexico,  for  Canada,  for  Oregon,  for  part  of  Maine,  for  honor,! 
for  gain,  for  glory,  for  slavery  or  for  freedom,  or  some  cause  or  other,  is  an  unceaa-j 
ing  cry — and  beyond  the  pretext  it  affords  for  upholding  a  vast  naval  and  militaryf 
force,  with  its  contracts  and  corrupt  patronage,  many  know  not  what  to  make  of  it.| 
Perfect  and  of  thirty  years'  continuance  as  peace  now  is,  two-thirds  of  the  nationall 
expenditure  is  upon  warlike  objects,  and  over  20,000  persons  are  in  continual  pub-I 
lie  pay  as  fighting  men,  or  connected  with  war.     The  national  war  tax  alone  iil 
nearly  three  millions  of  dollars  for  the  State  of  New  York,  besides  a  loss  of  the| 
services  of  thousands  of  valuable  artizans  and  farmers.    In  1839  there  v^ere  1 
naval  captains  and  commanders,  and  in  1841  an  increase  of  57,  all  on  pay.   LtJ 
Maury  says  that  the  Ohio,  ship  of  the  line,  cost  under  $300,000,  and  that  nearlyT 
$600,000  were  charged  in  1839,  merely  for  repairing  her.     The  checks  of  vetoesj 
departments,  boards,  and  enquiring  committees  are  found  to  be  no  checks  at  all 
unless  the  people  who  buy  goods  and  pay  taxes  to  the  Hoyts  and  Swartwouts  o 
the  day  can  be  waked  up  a  little.     Pew  men  have  more  steadily  opposed  extravaJ 
gant  expenditures  than  the  writer,  and  even  natives  are  willing  to  permit  adoptel 
citizens  to  write  against  abuses,  so  that  they  avoid  mentioning  the  N.  Y.  corporal 
tion  expenditure  of  1843-4.     What  the  country  wants  is  peace,  a  free  conventionJ 
and  a  people  alive  to  reform  and  improvement.     I  have  changed  my  mind  both  ai 
to  men  and  measures,  in  some  degree,  of  late  years,  and  must  admit  that  there  ii 
truth  in  Lord  Brougham's  remark,  that  *  a  rigid  devotion  to  party  forms  one  of  thl 
most  sacred  aristocratic  mysteries,'  and  that  politicians,  when  in  power,  oughl 
never  to  forget  the  prayer  (Matthew  VI  and  13,)  '  Lead  us  not  into  temptatioi 
but  deliver  us  from  evil.' 


There  are,  no  doubt,  many  remarkable  incidents  in  the  lives  of  Messrs.  HoytanJ 
Butler,  which  the  compiler  of  this  work  has  not  had  leisure  properly  to  notice,  i 
even  advert  to — but,  in  a  second  edition,  or  through  some  other  suitable  channel  o 
communication  with  the  public,  it  is  his  intention  to  submit  copies  of  several  inteij 
esting  documents,  (before  the  sitting  of  the  Convention,  should  it  be  detMminef 
on,)  which  he  deems  it  advisable /or  the  present  to  withhold.  His  chief  object,  thuj 
far,  was  to  shew  the  necessity  which  exists  for  checking  the  career  of  a  faction « 
dissemblers  who  are  unfriendly  to  the  vital  principle  of  elective  institutions. 


rmation  and  expe. 
the  whole  State 
ly  no  duty  at  all. 
lected  for  their  in- 
.ble  men — but  the 
ribed  him,  is  their ; 
•to  protect,  on  our  I 

)laceB,  for  keeping , 
for  domestic  wl 
8,  spring  and  fali 
uorsbe  stored,  the 
system  in  use,  aa 
sion.     Sometime) 
ack  (that  is,  a  re- 1 
tiad  been  imported  I 
the  miracle  of  the  I 
egB?    What  room  I 

itradictory  reports  | 
V  tariffs  at  Wash- i 
as  a  science  inor- 

the  blasts  of  ap>| 
luarter  or  other,! 
Maine,  for  honorj 
her,  is  an  unceas-l 
naval  and  militarjl 
rhat  to  make  of  it.  I 
rds  of  the  nationall 

in  continual  pub-l 
war  tax  alone  ill 
lides  a  loss  of  the! 
39  there  were  1 
,  all  on  pay.  LtJ 
0,  and  that  neailjf 

checks  of  vetoesj 

no  checks  at  i 
nd  Swartwoutsol 
■  opposed  extravaj 
to  permit  ad  _ 
tie  N.  Y.  corpora 
I  free  conventionj 

my  mind  both  i 
idmit  that  there  i 

forms  one  ofthi 
in  power,  ougiil 
It  into  temptatioi 


Messrs.  Hoyt  an^ 
Brly  to  notice, 
uitable  channel  o 
i  of  several  inteil 
it  be  detwminej 
chief  object,  thuj 
er  of  a  faction « 
Btitutiona. 


